Cleaning question

[afio18]

My last couple of batches have an off flavor. Some have said metallic or apple. My next step is to deep clean my equipment. What would be the best cleaner to use?

 

[Upthewazzu]

I've always used Oxi clean (unscented).

 

[unionrdr]

I use PBW on everything. I even use a little of it with a Dobie brand scrubber to clean my SS kettle. What kind of kettle are you using? Maybe the metallic flavor is coming from that?

 

[afio18]

I have a SS kettle. I have been brewing for about 4 yrs just started having this problem. My wife thinks it might be the water. Thought I would start with a deep clean



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[unionrdr]

Well water with a lot of minerals could do it. I use local spring water from White House Artsian Springs @25c per gallon. works better for me.

 

[Setesh]

Does it get worse over time? I had an infection caused by a cracked pressure relief valve nut on a corny keg cap. The infection gave the beer a horrid metallic off flavor that got steadily worse over time. I had never heard of a metallic off flavor from an infection before. That's the only time it has happened to me in hundreds of batches. After tasting the beer I dissected the keg expecting to find rust somewhere, but what I found was a fuzzy mold protruding from the cracked plastic hex nut on the carboy cap. All else was fine. Replaced the cap and no problems with that keg since.

 

[RM-MN]

My last couple of batches have an off flavor. Some have said metallic or apple. My next step is to deep clean my equipment. What would be the best cleaner to use?

Apple flavor could well be acetaldehyde, an intermediate product of fermentation. If that is what you have, it will be consumed by the yeast if you give them time.