Bad Priming Bucket?

[jaymack]

So, how long should a plastic Primary Bucket last?
I've used the same one for a year now, made 8 batches and the last 2 got infections.

I THOROUGHLY clean out my Primary and Glass Carboy Secondary (using bleach to sanitize), as well as my bottles, but the last two batches developed grey white stinky flakes leaving an acidic like taste to the brew.

These were extract brews and I have thoroughly cleaned my cooking area, pots, containers, et al.

help!

j

 

[Walker]

if cared for properly, they should last a good number of years.

If you suspect that the issue is coming from the bucket and not something else in your gear pile or procedure, try filling the bucket to the tippy-top with BOILING water and letting it sit for a while. The heat will kill anything hiding in the cracks/scratches and you will have a critter free vessel again.

Question: when you clean it, do you take the sipgot apart (into three pieces) and scrub the inside of it? There is a shockingly large amount of crud that can build up inside that thing, and the only way to get it all out is to disassemble it.

edit: I made the assumption that your bucket had a spigot. if it does not, disregard the comments about disassembling it, but think about filling it with boiling water to sanitize.

-walker

 

[Baron von BeeGee]

Have you unscrewed the tap from your bottling bucket and cleaned it real thoroughly?

Also, are you sure you've isolated your infection to the bottling bucket?

 

[homebrewer_99]

I have 5-6 primary buckets that I've used for years...since '93 or '94. I haven't replaced them.

As for disassembling the spigot in the bottling bucket...I've never disassembled one either. It doesn't get any trub in it to build up.

Soak them right away and you'll never have problems.

 

[Baron von BeeGee]

He's using his bucket as a primary fermenter, hence the potential for buildup.

 

[homebrewer_99]

He's using his bucket as a primary fermenter, hence the potential for buildup.

Thanks, but I didn't miss that fact. I read it as he was probably thinking he should get a new bucket because it is worn out...

Soak your bucket right after you transfer. I soak mine overnight in a VERY LIGHT bleach water solution (half normal sanitizing strength - the thing here is cleanliness, not sanitizing - you can do that later) and they are not really even stained after all these years.

I would say the acidic taste is caused by not rinsing the bleach off enough. If you get a bottle jet washer you can use just hot water (no cold) to spray/rinse the inside of your bucket. Rinse for several minutes.

 

[Baron von BeeGee]

Well, I clean my bucket immediately after use as well, be it fermentation or bottling which includes running hot soapy water through the tap, as well as bleach solution after an overnight soak and I definitely have buildup in mine if I take it apart and clean it. If you've never taken one apart, how do you know there's nothing in it?

 

[homebrewer_99]

Well, I clean my bucket immediately after use as well, be it fermentation or bottling which includes running hot soapy water through the tap, as well as bleach solution after an overnight soak and I definitely have buildup in mine if I take it apart and clean it. If you've never taken one apart, how do you know there's nothing in it?

I've taken them apart, for replacement due to leaks, but in the process of cleaning and sanitizing I just run the cleaning/sanitizing fluid through it.

 

[Baron von BeeGee]

Hmmm, I wonder if I've got a different brand of spigot...it's definitely got some areas that seem to collect 'stuff' no matter how much I flush, so I take them apart for insurance. I'm going to look at the HBS next time I'm in...they have replacement spigots that perhaps will work better.

 

[homebrewer_99]

They're pretty much all the same, aren't they?

I see it as if my brew can get in there (the nooks and crannies, etc) then so should the cleaning/sanitizing solution. Especially since the solution is in the container longer than the brew was (bottling bucket with spigot).

I also don't use brushs on my buckets. Most of the time a good overnight soak allows me to wipe away the sludge with a sponge. The rest is just a jet spray away.

 

[Baron von BeeGee]

Yep, I've never used a scrubby. A stiff stream of water and the soft side of a sponge is all it ever sees. I don't know. I get gunk in mine that requires a soak regardless of how well I clean post-ferment/bottling.

 

[ScottT]

I would say the acidic taste is caused by not rinsing the bleach off enough. If you get a bottle jet washer you can use just hot water (no cold) to spray/rinse the inside of your bucket. Rinse for several minutes.

When was the last time you tasted sour/acidic sodium hypochlorite?

The sour taste is being caused by a bacterial infection, most likely lactobacillus.

Like others have said, just disassemble the spigot if you have one, boil or bleach (high concentrate) and rinse thoroughly. Make sure that sucker is clean. Sanitize with a no rinse just prior to the addition of wort. You're next batch should be fine.

Better yet, kick the bucket out of your SOP and get a 6.5 gal glass carboy. Your beer will thank you for it.

 

[El Pistolero]

When was the last time you tasted sour sodium hypochlorite?

It's on the dollar menu at Wendy's, isn't it?

 

[jaymack]

Thanks for the tips, y'all.

I actually don't have a spigot, I am thinking of going glass (what's the best way to get my pot of wort into the carboy), I always rinse (never scrub) when done.

One thing that hit me like a brick in the face last night was my airlock. I soak it in hot water, but not bleach. I also do not soak the rubber stopper for fear of it becoming useless.

 

[Baron von BeeGee]

Everything that has the potential to come into contact with the wort once you're done boiling must be sanitized, including the stopper and airlock. They don't really get cruddy so a crud-softening soak isn't required, but some type of sanitation is essential. I find a bath in a no-rinse sanitizer to be the easiest.

 

[Walker]

I'm going to look at the HBS next time I'm in...they have replacement spigots that perhaps will work better.

BeeGee...

I broke my spigot a month or so ago and picked up one of the replacement spigots from American Brewmaster. It's 100% identical in structure. The only difference was that the nozzle was blue instead of red, and it came with TWO rubber gaskets instead of one. Other than that, it's the same thing.

-walker

 

[homebrewer_99]

When was the last time you tasted sour/acidic sodium hypochlorite?

The sour taste is being caused by a bacterial infection, most likely lactobacillus.

My bad...I was thinking vinegar but wrote acidic.