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new old chest freezer with less than pleasant smell

Discussion in 'Bottling/Kegging' started by decoleur, Jul 26, 2014.

 

  1. #1
    decoleur

    Well-Known Member  

    Posted Jul 26, 2014
    So I got rid of the table saw that I kept in my kitchen in trade to my neighbor for a chest freezer. it is a 15 foot deep chest freezer that looks to be from 1979. I kept it in the garage for years and on my last move brought it into the basement. when i started thinking about controlling fermentation temp and kegging this was the free choice, but when I last put it through a defrost cycle to get it all cleaned out. I noticed that it had some awesome smells to it, kind of an old camping tent smell. I also had quite a bit of water that drained out of the door when I opened it. I put a bleach solution it a misting squirt bottle and thoroughly sprayed everywhere and let it air dry open. Then I closed it up with a temp controller and the smell has come back.

    Is this going to cause problems for fermentation? I am probably not motivated to put cornies with picnic taps in there with the smell for fear of contamination.

    Thanks for your thoughts!

    -decoleur
     
  2. #2
    shelly_belly

    Someday After A While

    Posted Jul 27, 2014
    I had to replace the insulation in the lid of my yard sale freezer to get rid of all odors.
     
  3. #3
    decoleur

    Well-Known Member  

    Posted Jul 27, 2014
    How did you do that. Mine doesn't appear to have a way to take it apart.
     
  4. #4
    RickS

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Jul 28, 2014
    Try putting a coffee filter with 2 tablespoonss of unused coffee grounds in it for a while. When I drove a truck I pulled refridgerated trailers and often hauled pallets of fresh onions and onions made the trailer smell. I used to put a package of coffee in the back and close the doors,and the smell was gone by the time I made my pickup for a load back.
     
  5. #5
    Brew_Dude41

    Supporting Member  

    Posted Aug 6, 2014
    I am having the same issue with my freezer that I found on CL. I too have scrubbed the whole freezer, and sprayed it will a bleach mixture. It seems to have worked on the chest part of the freezer, but I noticed a smell as I was bringing the lid in. SWMBO confirmed that there is a smell coming from the lid (Honey, does this smell??-sucker).
    I figure that it is the insulation as well and will be trying to replace that this week. I will let you know how it works.
     
  6. #6
    decoleur

    Well-Known Member  

    Posted Aug 6, 2014
    How do you open the lid to replace the insulation? I am not seeing an easy way to open it that is not destructive. Let us know how it works out.

    I have coffee going and backing soda with a dehumidifier in there. still kind of odoriferous when it gets above 55.

    -decoleur
     
  7. #7
    jigtwins

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Aug 6, 2014
    Charcoal will absorb many odors. Just put a few pieces in a paper bag, and put it in the freezer. Shut the lid and let it sit for a day.
     
    Stealthcruiser likes this.
  8. #8
    Brew_Dude41

    Supporting Member  

    Posted Aug 7, 2014
    I just did mine and it was very easy:

    First, I took the door off to make it much easier to work with. Then I pulled back the seal and see how it is attached.
    20140806_231035[1].jpg

    Once I saw how this was attached, I just slid a flathead screwdriver between seal and the top of the door. These just popped loose. I just kept sliding and popping until it was off. Other freezers are sure to have different fasteners, but the process should be similar.

    20140806_231053[1].jpg

    20140806_231023[1].jpg

    20140806_231551[1].jpg

    Once it was apart, I put gloves on, rolled the insulation up and threw it out. I then sprayed everything down with a 20% bleach solution, and will finish cleaning it up tomorrow.

    I know that not all freezers are put together the same way, but it might help you get pointed in the right direction.
     
  9. #9
    Brew_Dude41

    Supporting Member  

    Posted Aug 7, 2014
    By the way, I have a very poor sense of smell, but the stench that presented itself while I was opening this u[ was pretty strong. I might also suggest a dust mask or ventilator of some sort until you get that old nasty insulation into the trash.
     
  10. #10
    decoleur

    Well-Known Member  

    Posted Aug 7, 2014
    those pictures are worth at least a thousand words. now what are you going to fill the lid with to replace the old insulation?
     
  11. #11
    CastleHollow

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Aug 7, 2014
    New insulation?

    :D

    If you don't want to go with fiberglass, there are a variety of rigid products that can do the job.
     
  12. #12
    Brew_Dude41

    Supporting Member  

    Posted Aug 7, 2014
    I haven't decided yet. I can get more of same kind of fiberglass insulation at lowes for a few bucks, but I don't want to have to do this again. So I am thinking that I will go with some form of Styrofoam board.
     
  13. #13
    Stealthcruiser

    Supporting Member  

    Posted Aug 9, 2014


    ^^^^^^^
    This. Some charcoal of the non "match light" variety.

    I have put it in a pan, ( more than a few pieces, myself), and closed the unit with a small fan within, ( muffin fan works well), and left it a few days.

    Works well. No need to spend the bucks for "activated charcoal".
     
  14. #14
    Stealthcruiser

    Supporting Member  

    Posted Aug 15, 2014
    Any luck?
     
  15. #15
    Brew_Dude41

    Supporting Member  

    Posted Aug 15, 2014
    Sorry, I haven't had time to finish yet. I found some 3/4 inch thick Styrofoam sheets at lowes for $6 that I will hopefully get put in this weekend as long as SWMBO doesn't give me too many tasks on my list.
    Pics to come.
     
  16. #16
    Stealthcruiser

    Supporting Member  

    Posted Aug 15, 2014
    I meant, have you been working on the smell issue, whilst it's sittin' there, not being worked on..............:D

    I know how them "Honey Do" tasks get in the way!......;)
     
  17. #17
    Brew_Dude41

    Supporting Member  

    Posted Aug 17, 2014
    The smell has all but disappeared. I haven't got to do the final cleaning of the inside of the lid but I haven't smelled anything. I am convinced that the insulation was the source of the odor.
     
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