Third attempt and still no good!

[unionrdr]

I'm guilty of being repetitive myself. But somepoints need to be hammered home sometimes.

 

[Enoch52]

If you find the responses repetitive, why are you reading the thread? It's possible somebody here has come up with a new and revolutionary cleaning method you weren't previously aware of, but (especially in a forum designed for those new to the hobby) it's more likely the OP just needs to learn the same basic lessons we all had to learn.

The only thing I'm finding more repetitive than the advice are the posts complaining about how repetitive it is. If it's so repetitive, post a new idea.

 

[Dmlsys23]

I found this thread useful. I've been using unscented liquid dish soap with no dyes or fragrances to clean. After this, I'm an Oxyclean Free man all the way!

 

[Brulosopher]

If you find the responses repetitive, why are you reading the thread? It's possible somebody here has come up with a new and revolutionary cleaning method you weren't previously aware of, but (especially in a forum designed for those new to the hobby) it's more likely the OP just needs to learn the same basic lessons we all had to learn.

The only thing I'm finding more repetitive than the advice are the posts complaining about how repetitive it is. If it's so repetitive, post a new idea.

I... just... can't... stop!!!!!

 

[sidepart]

I'm going to be repetitive here as well. DON'T USE SOAP! Just scrub the crap off and rinse after brewing.

I'm a fan of OneStep though instead of StarSan. Mix 1 Tbsp with 1 gallon of water. As long as the liquid contacts, it'll sanitize in 30 seconds (although they recommend 2 minutes). I usually keep a spray bottle on hand to spritz my equipment as I'm using it. Of course, it will not work very well if you have crusted on gunk.

 

[pearseam]

From what I have read xHeight in your post. Is that you never mentioned adding water to wort after cool down to make 5 gallons. Was the kit a 5 gallon Kit? Transfering the wort to a secondary only after your final gravity has been met, in the instruction or close to FG. Time is various for each brew made. Typically the secondary is is used for conditioning and clearing the beer before bottling.

 

[unionrdr]

A lot of us don't use secondaries for clearing or dry hopping anymore. One less step,one less thing to clean,one less chance for oxidation or infection. Doing it in primary is the new thinking.

 

[kh54s10]

From what I have read xHeight in your post. Is that you never mentioned adding water to wort after cool down to make 5 gallons. Was the kit a 5 gallon Kit? Transfering the wort to a secondary only after your final gravity has been met, in the instruction or close to FG. Time is various for each brew made. Typically the secondary is is used for conditioning and clearing the beer before bottling.

I had this thought also. He says he used kits for 5 gallons and there is certainly not 5 gallons in the carboy in the photo!

 

[MileHiBrewingSupplies]

I'm a fan of OneStep though instead of StarSan. Mix 1 Tbsp with 1 gallon of water. As long as the liquid contacts, it'll sanitize in 30 seconds (although they recommend 2 minutes). I usually keep a spray bottle on hand to spritz my equipment as I'm using it. Of course, it will not work very well if you have crusted on gunk.

Hate to tell you this, but OneStep is NOT a sanitizer...just a cleanser. I think many folks are tricked into thinking it is due to the clever name that could be construed to mean both cleaning and sanitizing. And if you don't believe me (as often happens...) check their website...no mention of sanitizing. Better get that StarSan back out! http://www.ecologiccleansers.com/cleaning.php

 

[GoldMiner]

Why don't more people use the dishwasher to clean pots and fermenters?

After rinsing and wiping with a sponge the dishwasher cleans really well.

Maybe I'm just lazy.

P.S. The third photo in the OP looks infected to me and that carboy in photo 4 is only half full?

 

[xHeight]

Why don't more people use the dishwasher to clean pots and fermenters?

I live in a small apartment with no dishwasher. I really wish I had one.

 

[dannylerch]

I Dont think he added water to make the wort 5 gallons. It probably would taste off and super concentrated. Plus all the other things he messed up on. Read a brewing book homie!

 

[william_shakes_beer]

Are you using tap water for brewing and/or topping up after the boil?

If your tap water contains Chlorine and/or chloramine those can lead to plasticky, or band-aid, type off flavours/smells.

Leaving your brewing (tap) water in an open vessel overnight before a brew session will allow the chlorine to dissipate but chloramine is a bit more stubborn. You can, however, use Campden tabs to remedy that.

Either that or use bottled water to do a batch and see if that makes the required difference.

Huh. I always use tap water fresh from the city supply. No noticable chloriune taste or smell, but I assume they are there. No off tastes in any of my 25 or so beers. (of course Murphy is probably listening)

 

[Ogri]

Huh. I always use tap water fresh from the city supply. No noticable chloriune taste or smell, but I assume they are there. No off tastes in any of my 25 or so beers. (of course Murphy is probably listening)

Can't really comment on the the chemical composition of the water you're using, as it would appear you are getting favorable results, but the OP mentions plasticky type flavours after using bleach to clean and also after leaving the bleach out of the equation and getting the same results. That's why I brought up the chlorine/chloramine possibility in tap water, which seems to get mentioned quite a lot on here as a possibility for those type of off flavours/smells.

This is my third time brewing on my own so far and none have turned out well.

Tonight I transferred to the secondary. The primary has a very short krausen ring and a very pungent smell. Almost chemical. It's exactly how my other two have smelled.

The flavor of my previous two has been plastic-y and makes your mouth feel dry (and smooth? if that makes sense?). I looked it up and saw that a lot of times it has to do with cleaning solutions you use to sanitize. I was using a very mild bleach solution. I changed it up this time and went with Oxy Clean and some Star San. Same results.

Have also heard that sometimes a wild yeast infecting the brew can result in similar type smell/flavour but have yet to experience it myself.

The water I've used for most of my brewing so far has been bottled but the last couple I've used Campden tabs in my tap water, as I know, for a fact, that it's pretty heavily chlorinated and possibly treated with chloramine too, so still waiting to see the end product.