Can't get my Better Bottle Clean

[mdf191]

Ugh the saga continues. I had a lager fermenting in a bb for a month before I tried to clean it. Here is what I have done so far.

- After removing the beer I immediately soaked it and rinsed. ...Still had residue.
- I filled it again this time with a scoop of oxlyclean and let it sit for 2 days. Then rinsed.. Still had residue
- Went on HBT found a suggestion about a rag shaken in the bottle for stubborn scum. But I was frustrated, lazy, and I put off doing it. (Bad Idea)
- A few weeks later I returned to my now very dry residue covered bottle, and soaked it with more oxyclean for a few hours, then added the rag and shook... Still had residue.
- So I filled it again for an extended Oxyclean soak, assuming the long drying period may have made the stuff more stubborn.

What else can I do? I have only used the BB twice. Before that I used glass carboys, which I would scrub with a carboy brush. The first time I used my better bottle, one soak was enough. This time the residue is crazy stubborn!

 

[Chello]

break down and use a carboy brush maybe?

 

[Yooper]

I have a jet bottle washer that hooks up to my sink. I wonder if something like that- using HOT water will help? (not boiling water- the BB will melt)

 

[aekdbbop]

i used the rag in the bottle idea.. just a little water and a wash cloth.. swirl it around.. does the trick..

add some dish soap too if you like..

 

[Blender]

I have had decent results with a rag or small towel inside. I think it will work better if there is not a lot of liguid because the rag will make better contact. I would let it sit full overnight and then try the rag again. I would not use a brush unless it was wrapped in a rag.

 

[LoneOakDesign]

try some barkeepers friend with some hot water and a rag inside. the bkp seems to be a bit harsher than oxyclean and may be what you need

 

[mdf191]

I heard the carboy brush is BAD news in scratching the BB's

And the residue is at the neck of the bottle. So i am thinking the bottle washer would only blast the bottom of the bottle...

 

[SuperiorBrew]

PBW and hot tap water (but not so hot you make it into a better baloon) it's stronger than ozy and had always worked for me with no scrubbing

 

[Atl300zx]

i lightly scrub mine with the brush and i havent had any issues.

 

[Beerrific]

PBW and hot tap water (but not so hot you make it into a better baloon) it's stronger than ozy and had always worked for me with no scrubbing

I second this idea. I would avoid using brushes as they will scratch the bottle.

The safest temp for the Better Bottles is 140F, my tap hot water is less than that so I use the hottest I can get from the tap. Fill it half way, dump in the PBW, fill the rest. Overnight should clean it. PBW is designed to not need any scrubbing.

 

[EdWort]

Hot tap water and two Tbs. of PBW. Let it soak a few days.

 

[Bobby_M]

I have had some stubborn spots too and I VERY carefully used a carboy brush on it. I know it's risky but I was really gentle with it.

For most cleanings, 1/2 gallon of hot water with oxyclean and a wash cloth. Shake and swirl like nuts.

BUT... this is one reason I'm still into using a secondary. I can clean that gunk before it dries out too much.

 

[Atl300zx]

i usually use my better bottle as the secondary which also explains why i have less crud to clean. i didnt realize brushes were so bad for the bottles, good thing i havent had too many stubborn spots.

How can a nylon brush hurt the plastic so badly?

 

[Proofman]

I use my BB as a secondary as well. While I dont get much crud in it, sometimes, especially if I dry hop, i get some at the top. Since it is my only bottle (i use buckets for primary) I don't have a carboy brush. The rag thing didn't work so I bent my bottle brush and lightly scrubbed it. No scratches. i mean lightly...and scrubbed probably isn't the right word. The brush made it easy to get right on the crud.

 

[Gedvondur]

i usually use my better bottle as the secondary which also explains why i have less crud to clean. i didnt realize brushes were so bad for the bottles, good thing i havent had too many stubborn spots.

How can a nylon brush hurt the plastic so badly?

Well, my carboy brush may have nylon bristles, but the bristles are wrapped into metal to form the twisted shaft and loop handle of my brush. The "cut" end of this is sharp and can leave scratches.

Scratches in the plastic become homes for unwanted microorganisms and become nearly impossible to clean.

Cleaning is why I primary in buckets, and secondary in a carboy. The cleaning factor in cleaning carboys, particularly better bottles, always had me scratching my head as to why anybody would primary in a carboy. Well, other than to watch it swirl.



Gedvondur

 

[olllllo]

The rag in the bottle are per the manufacturer's instructions.

 

[ClutchDude]

I had some crud get in the neck like that.
I filled it with about a gallon or so water and a scoop of oxy clean. I then put the rubber stopper in, then stuffed the hole with paper towels.

After that, I put it upside down on a carboy cleaner, with a bowl holding it so any drippage would get caught. Came back the next morning and the neck crud was gone.

 

[EdWort]

I would get a wooden dowel, wet a new sponge, fold it over one end and affix it with a nylon cable tie and snip the left over. This will let you reach in and give the stuff a rub without scratching. Use hot tap water with it.

 

[raceskier]

No, don't brush it. Did you use enough Oxyclean? I've found I need to use 2 full scoops to get my BB's to clean up. I haven't tried PBW, but have also used B-Brite at 1 tablespoon per gallon for good results. I have only on a couple occasions had to resort to the rag and shaking trick.

 

[EdWort]

Here's my Better Bottle Stain Cleaner I whipped up in a few minutes. It's not a new sponge, but you will get the idea. I had to trim a 1/2 to 3/4 inch off the long side, but with a simple nylon cable tie, this is secured to the dowel. I can now use it to reach in and wipe areas of my Better Bottle and still get it out.

Patent Pending.

 

[slimer]

Dang! Can I have the licensing rights?

 

[EdWort]

I revised my Better Bottle Cleaning Wand (BBCW). You need to trim the sponge (use a new one) on the long side to the width of the bottle opening. Then wet it, fold it over one end of the dowel and secure it with a nylon cable tie. It goes in and comes out without falling off the dowel just fine.

Patent Pending

 

[mdf191]

Edwort I haven't tried your scrubber. But from the looks of it, it wont reach the spots I need, which are in the neck area.

I just rinsed and shook with a rag after a two day soak of 1 scoop oxyclean in a filled 6 gal bb. Still can't get the stuff off. I am thinking I need to up the oxyclean... I don't have any PBW at the moment either.

 

[EdWort]

Ah, it sounds like you need the BBCW with the articulating arm option.

 

[Dr_Deathweed]

Ah, it sounds like you need the BBCW with the articulating arm option.

I smell I mint to be made

 

[Atl300zx]

Ah, it sounds like you need the BBCW with the articulating arm option.

How about a bent coat hanger with a piece of silicone tube or beer line on the end to protect the BB from scratching and use the same sponge trick you talked about.

 

[EdWort]

How about a bent coat hanger with a piece of silicone tube or beer line on the end to protect the BB from scratching and use the same sponge trick you talked about.

Another great idea!

 

[Atl300zx]

Another great idea!

Aha....this is different enough i need to seek my own patent. :rockin:

Patent Pending

 

[ClutchDude]

Heh. it's like the episode of the simpson's where homer has the trash can back-dekinker and keeps saying "Patent Pending!"

Great one...."This is chiro town"

 

[debaniel]

you mention 'residue' in your original post - if this is a white residue from oxiclean, any type of vinegar mixed with water will dissolve that residue almost instantly.

it took me days of cleaning to realize this!

:rockin: