Getting old sucks

[redrocker652002]

So, about two weeks I did a beer that ended up coming out really well, thanks to Floppyknockers for the help and input, but I screwed up and forgot to clean the bucket fermenter. I realized it about 2 or 3 weeks later and pulled it out of the fermenter fridge to find the outside has a bit of mold around the top of the bucket. I hit is with Simple Green and gave the inside a good scrub with PBW. My thought is, nothing touches the outside, but my wife told me it would be best to get rid of it or use it for grain storage or something else. I have an extra bucket so it is not the need for it, but the cheap in me wants to keep using it. And with that said, she authorized a purchase of a new fermenter, not realizing how much the cool ones with all the bells and whistles are, LOL. I am into this "hobby" for a bit more right now than I want so the cool fermenter is out. What say you all about using the bucket with the mold that I cleaned off? Is my wife right and it have become my new car washing bucket?

thanks all, and I am ok with it if you all say, dump the thing and quit being so darn cheap. LOL

 

[mac_1103]

If you've been happy fermenting in plastic buckets until now and don't want to spring for something blingy, you can always just buy another cheap plastic bucket. Or maybe look into something in between buckets and a fancy stainless steel conical with a bunch of TC ports. Fermonsters are pretty reasonable.

 

[lumpher]

Undiluted Clorox works great on mold...

 

[mashdar]

Mold is possibly embedded in the plastic. I'd buy a new bucket. The cost of one lost batch would exceed the cost of a bucket.

If you want to be cheap, the lid won't contact the beer and is probably OK unless aging for weeks. But the same cost logic might favor a new lid.

edit: Also, a new storage bucket is the silver lining!

 

[Broken Crow]

You're a DIY'er by nature; Go with either a fermonster you can do the closed transfer mod to, or a sanke with no spear to do the same. Bling is nice and feels nice to have, but greater and equal functionality for the dollar feels better in the long run. If you really wanna try out a conical, try a fermzilla first...at least it's got bells and whistles but won't break the bank.

 

[mashdar]

If you want an upgrade, I use an all-rounder and I really like it. I was going to buy an oversized keg for fermenting, but I'm in no rush now.

You can buy the standard kit and upgrade for pressure and sealed transfers later.

Pros:
+ Clear! So cool!
+ Better scratch resistance than HDPE
+ Much lower O2 permeability than HDPE

Cons:
- Still plastic
- Probably doesn't have the temperature rating of HDPE?
- A little tippy if not strapped in to stand
- lid is hard to get off without harming the PET rim

edit: ps it may be cheaper to buy standard kit and upgrade to pressure fermenting - check prices

 

[IslandLizard]

I doubt the plastic used in buckets is porous enough to harbor mold or its spores. A good scrub with a detergent, followed by a rinse and sanitizer treatment should take care of that.

But for all security, as @lumpher said, Clorox (bleach in general) will kill any potential mold.
So does UV. After thorough cleaning and washing, expose those potentially "moldy" areas to UV by placing them outside in bright sunlight. Make sure the target areas are directly exposed. You may have to reposition them every hour or so to keep those areas in the bright light.

 

[redrocker652002]

Thanks to all who replied. Gonna go do some investigating. LOL

 

[Whisky River]

Old……Back in my day we didn’t even have buckets, we had to hold the beer in our hands for two weeks while it fermented. Grumble grumble grumble

 

[Bramling Cross]

Undiluted Clorox works great on mold...

Rejoice and be merry that you can use the bleach nuclear option on your plastic. It's the only thing that I miss about ditching my old glass carboys in favor of stainless.

Bleach is amazing, wonderful stuff!

 

[MaxStout]

I tend to err on the cautious side. Put the bucket into semi-retirement, use it for storing grain, small parts, etc. Buy a new one and not worry if the next batch will be OK.

 

[Broothru]

Clorox soak, followed by rinse, hot PBW + water soak, then rinse, overnight StarSan (diluted soak), then rinse.

If there’s anything nasty remaining after that, call 911 and a HAZMAT disposal team. Then quarantine your entire house until the CDC clears you to re-occupy the one mile radius perimeter the guys in the white space suits established around your neighborhood.

 

[Broothru]

Does anybody use iodifor any more? Iodine should knock down most bacterial or fungal infections. But as previously noted, Clorox will ‘nuke’ mold quite effectively.

 

[IslandLizard]

I just reread the OP:

[...] pulled it out of the fermenter fridge to find the outside has a bit of mold around the top of the bucket.

My emphasis^
The outside of the brew bucket fermenter had some mold! Well, I'm quite sure it had other nasties clinging to it too, especially the bottom.

We can all relax now.
The mold being on the outside, once cleaned and disinfected that could not even potentially compromise your next batch at all, using the same bucket.

Don't forget the bottom of the lid (the side that's inside the bucket when closed) also needs thorough cleaning and sanitation, paying special attention to the groove.

The hardest part I find to clean is the top of bucket lids. Most lids have those reinforcement "ribs" along the outer edge, which tend to get unbelievably dirty/grimey. Although it's not touching your beer under normal circumstances, removing the lid may expose your beer to what's in and on there, so be well aware of it.

 

[Snuffy]

My first fermenter was a plastic trash can with saran wrap for a lid. I poked a small hole in the center and laid a rag over it for a vent. I bottled in plastic soda bottles after a week or so, and I would squeeze them to judge carbonation level and crack the lids to release pressure. When they cleared up and only foamed over a little they were ready. Then I would load them on our mule along with the beaver and muskrat pelts and haul them 2 days over the mountain pass to trade for chewing tobacco and lamp oil and sorghum candy for the kids.

 

[homebeerbrewer]

I'll add my $0.02.

$0.01 - Plastic buckets are easy to scratch. If you scrubbed the inside with anything but a soft cloth, you probably scratched it. Those scratches are great hiding spots for bacteria and fungi. Nuking it with bleach might work, but if one little bug survives, you could get an infected batch.

$0.01 - Plastic buckets are fairly cheap, and as mentioned, less expensive than a batch of beer.

 

[OakIslandBrewery]

Thanks to all who replied. Gonna go do some investigating. LOL

It's a precious metal investment!

 

[SFC Rudy]

I used plastic buckets for 20 years with zero issues. I would replace them every couple years and reuse the old ones. I only switched to Anvil Ss because I had some disposable cash during COVID. The only real advantages are easier cleaning and a drain valve. It didn’t affect the taste of my beer at all.

 

[lumpher]

Or you can go for the gusto:

https://www.gwkent.com/7-gallon-conical-fermenter-cf7tw-cl.html

 

[OakIslandBrewery]

Or you can go for the gusto:

https://www.gwkent.com/7-gallon-conical-fermenter-cf7tw-cl.html

View attachment 877127

Good deal & 10% off!

 

[Broken Crow]

There are many threads on this site about the cost of homebrewing compared to store-bought beer.... What they reveal is that homebrewing, while a hobby for some, is a necessity for those with the lowest income that want 'good beer' in their life. Thusly we have a very diverse membership on this site ranging from brewers who make due with the least and a lot of DIY and those who can simply buy ready-made gear.....we all can make good beer. I tend to advocate for the least costly and DIY without comprimise on function becuase I'm on the lower-income side. That said: I've watched since you signed up on here and you've worked through every aspect of the brewing process and always make sensible choices...probably in some large part owing to the practical and grounding influence of your very sensible and supportive sounding wife. While many of us are content to make due with low-cost bits, the gearlust at the gearporn we regularly see on here is not just compelling to spend a lot, but we know that well designed and built Stainless and triclamp gear has all the versatility and options we otherwise jury-rig together with NPT fittings and plastics, but at a higher cash price plus it will not only last our own lifetimes, but our grandchildren can will it to their grandchildren. Anyway; In my opinion you've earned the right right to Bling, but at a troublesome time; Current global events dictate that all these excellent Stainless Steel bits, including ALL the Triclamp fittings are about to skyrocket in price. I'd suggest discussing this with your wife as you either buy it now and don't go minimal but consider all the fittings, dry-hopper bits, valves and whatnot so you can get at least most of what you need before the prices double or triple. "Buy Once, Cry Once" works at every income level. This is a good time to plan for the long term.

 

[redrocker652002]

There are many threads on this site about the cost of homebrewing compared to store-bought beer.... What they reveal is that homebrewing, while a hobby for some, is a necessity for those with the lowest income that want 'good beer' in their life. Thusly we have a very diverse membership on this site ranging from brewers who make due with the least and a lot of DIY and those who can simply buy ready-made gear.....we all can make good beer. I tend to advocate for the least costly and DIY without comprimise on function becuase I'm on the lower-income side. That said: I've watched since you signed up on here and you've worked through every aspect of the brewing process and always make sensible choices...probably in some large part owing to the practical and grounding influence of your very sensible and supportive sounding wife. While many of us are content to make due with low-cost bits, the gearlust at the gearporn we regularly see on here is not just compelling to spend a lot, but we know that well designed and built Stainless and triclamp gear has all the versatility and options we otherwise jury-rig together with NPT fittings and plastics, but at a higher cash price plus it will not only last our own lifetimes, but our grandchildren can will it to their grandchildren. Anyway; In my opinion you've earned the right right to Bling, but at a troublesome time; Current global events dictate that all these excellent Stainless Steel bits, including ALL the Triclamp fittings are about to skyrocket in price. I'd suggest discussing this with your wife as you either buy it now and don't go minimal but consider all the fittings, dry-hopper bits, valves and whatnot so you can get at least most of what you need before the prices double or triple. "Buy Once, Cry Once" works at every income level. This is a good time to plan for the long term.

Thank you for the compliment and yes you are right, my wife is the sensible one. With that said, she is very much the buy it if you need it type, so Amazon has our home address on their speed dial. LOL. I am looking around to see what is out there at a price I can reasonably say is worth it. I am very lucky as money is not a huge concern. We saved when we were able to and now we can live comfortably. For me, the DIY part of the hobby is what I enjoy. Sure, I could have bought a keg and bucket washer, but what is the fun in that? LOL. I could have, and eventually did, buy a hop spider, but for a long time a DIY option I found worked out just as well. My next attempt is going to be a DIY stir plate, but I just have not gotten to it. So, for me, the DIY part of the hobby is the fun part, well, that and making beer that I and friends enjoy is cool too.

I am going to look around and see what I can find. I still have one bucket left that will do for now, but you are right, the bling can get a bit tempting. LOL.

Again, thanks to all who replied and keep it coming if you want. I take it all in and enjoy the info.

 

[redrocker652002]

It's a precious metal investment!

View attachment 877125

Now that looks really cool. I might have to do some checking out on that one.

 

[Willy]

So, about two weeks I did a beer that ended up coming out really well, thanks to Floppyknockers for the help and input, but I screwed up and forgot to clean the bucket fermenter. I realized it about 2 or 3 weeks later and pulled it out of the fermenter fridge to find the outside has a bit of mold around the top of the bucket. I hit is with Simple Green and gave the inside a good scrub with PBW. My thought is, nothing touches the outside, but my wife told me it would be best to get rid of it or use it for grain storage or something else. I have an extra bucket so it is not the need for it, but the cheap in me wants to keep using it. And with that said, she authorized a purchase of a new fermenter, not realizing how much the cool ones with all the bells and whistles are, LOL. I am into this "hobby" for a bit more right now than I want so the cool fermenter is out. What say you all about using the bucket with the mold that I cleaned off? Is my wife right and it have become my new car washing bucket?

thanks all, and I am ok with it if you all say, dump the thing and quit being so darn cheap. LOL

Rule #1 - your wife is always right.
Rule #2 - when she throws you a bone, accept the gift but be prudent.

In your case - I think an SS brew bucket, new or off FB shows great chivalry. And also keeps it simple and frugal, with a better material than plastic.

 

[OakIslandBrewery]

Now that looks really cool. I might have to do some checking out on that one.

I have the Spike CF10 with leg extensions -I love it! I got a bonus from work so I took the plunge.

You might be able to snag a used one, lots of folks selling home brew equipment.

 

[Willy]

I have the Spike CF10 with leg extensions -I love it! I got a bonus from work so I took the plunge.

You might be able to snag a used one, lots of folks selling home brew equipment.

Me too. Snagged a CF-10 from a Brewer who wanted to get skinny on FB marketplace. With about $1000 of add-ons. Love it.

 

[Skeeter686]

I love how this thread demonstrates that if you ask a question of ten brewers, you'll get at least eleven different answers!

 

[Snuffy]

I was trying to do the quick down n dirty brew gear math...

Grainfather- used - $500
Upgrades for GF - say $250 (jacket, rolled plates, short pipe, overflow screen)
Kegs - $300
Kegerator - single tap - $400
CO2 tanks - $80
Mash & Boil - $300
Tilt - $100
Immersion Chiller - $70
Misc gadgets, pumps, thermometer, tubing, spoons, paddles, inkbird - $200

So that's what... $2200. oh... wait... I forgot the Anvil Bucket - $170 and the Speidel 30L- $80 so... $2450.
Geez... sneaks up on ya, huh?

I got way more in motorcycles and tools and canoes and camping gear so I don't feel too bad about it.

 

[redrocker652002]

Rule #1 - your wife is always right.
Rule #2 - when she throws you a bone, accept the gift but be prudent.

In your case - I think an SS brew bucket, new or off FB shows great chivalry. And also keeps it simple and frugal, with a better material than plastic.

And Willy for the win!!!!!!! LOL

 

[OakIslandBrewery]

I love how this thread demonstrates that if you ask a question of ten brewers, you'll get at least eleven different answers!

And it's far from over!