Smells

[MmmBeer]

Even after ample scrubbing, use of b-brite, and more scrubbing, my carboys still have a left over beer smell. In the past I have done a bleach soak but after hearing brewmonkey's take on bleach and equipment (don't do it) I have not used this method. Anyone notice a little beer smell left in their carboys? Am I alone? Will this ruin my beer if I sanitize?

[GunNut76]

I have a beer smell in all my carboys/fermenters and there has been no noticeable difference in the flavor of my beer. RDWHAHB

[ray m]

Hmmm...that's interesting, MMMbeer....I have never had a problem with left over beer smells in my carboys. I used to do a real hot water rinse after use, then when I was ready to sanitize, I did a bleach soak (with no ill effects, ever, thankfully). After a while, though, for shits & giggles, I switched to using PBW for cleaning chores, & StarSan for sanitizing. Very happy with both products. When I used a plastic bucket for my primary, I got the beer smell, too, but just cleaned & sanitized the best I could and never had a problem with bad brew.

[fuji6100]

just curious...

I understand the point of not using bleach in buckets and kegs, but why would it not be OK to use bleach in a glass carboy? I Usually fill mine to the rim with a weak bleach solution, let it soak for a few days, then thoroughly clean and rinse the inside. I sanitize (now using star-san thanks to all the recommendations on the board) before using and I'm fine.

I thought that since glass was non-reactive, it couldn't possibly retain any bleach after a good rinse and sani? ? ?

am I wrong?

[toneyc]

Yeah, my plastic buckets always smell like beer. I've never actually worried about it, though. And I have noticed that StarSan seems to reduce it more than anything else I've used.

:)
Toney.

[paul84043]

I never worry about my glass carboys. I clean them with the brush until they're visibly clean, then rinse them two or three times with sanitizer and keep them stored with an airlock on them. I don't bother putting anything in the airlock, it just keeps big stuff out.
If I don't have an extra airlock handy, I stuff a paper towel in the neck.

When I go to use it again, it gets rinsed several times with Star San again.
I've never had a problem.

[ray m]

Originally posted by fuji6100:
________________________________________
just curious...

I understand the point of not using bleach in buckets and kegs, but why would it not be OK to use bleach in a glass carboy?....I thought that since glass was non-reactive, it couldn't possibly retain any bleach after a good rinse and sani? ? ?
________________________________________

With me, Fuji, there really wasn't an issue with bleach residue, since I rinsed the living hell out my carboys when I did a bleach soak. I guess I was in the mood for something different, something where that left-over bleach danger would be taken out of the equation. I was always under the impression, though, that anything, even glass, could retain residue of bleach of not rinsed properly. I say if it's still workin' for you with no problems, and you don't see any reason to change, then stick with it. After all, I used bleach for a couple years before changing to PBW.

Drink hearty!!! Up the irons!!!

Ray