Plastic Drum Fermenters, Lingering Medicinal Smell Options

[dmaxweb]

I have be using two of these as fermenters for about 6 batches now.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/joh...20Arm/RRA01.jpg

When I first bought the drums they seemed to have a medicinal smell. The guy I bought them from, Doug Bradford, said they had only be used one time for shippiing a food grade powder(?). Before I first used them I soaked in bleach and starsan. They still have that same smell so I am wondering if it something in the plastic itself. It may be just me but it seems to be carrying over to the finished beer. Has anyone experienced this?

Is an upgrade to a conical in my future?

[Jeff Meyers]

I soaked mine in B Brite two times and got the smell out. Mine smelled like citric acid when I got it.

[HanSolo]

I would say use Iodophor a few times. If it is a true food grade plastic, then the smell shouldn't be in the plastic but on the surface. I say Iodophor will do the trick. By the way, how many gallons does that hold? Looks like I may need to look into getting one of those.

[dmaxweb]

They hold around 12+ gallons. I have never had to use a blow-off with 10 gallon batches.

I will try B-Brite and see what happens.
Thanks

[HanSolo]

Sweet. Where did you get them? I am interested. (IMG:style_emoticons/brewboard/biggrin.gif)

[dmaxweb]

Sweet. Where did you get them? I am interested. (IMG:style_emoticons/brewboard/biggrin.gif)

The guy is Doug Bradford
dbgrammllc@aol.com

I think his company imported a pharmacutical product and the FDA would not let them to be reused for that purpose. He used to have a constant supply of these available but I don't think he gets many anymore. It's worth sending him an email.

They actually might be closer to 13-14 gallons.

[dmaxweb]

If you can get a drum, I bought the rotating racking arm from here. Super nice guy. He also has the plans on his site but you need a lathe to turn down one of the fiitings so I ended up just buying one from him

http://suburb.semo.net/jet1024/BeerHome.htm

Word of warning - When you drill the holes in the lid for stopper/airlock and the side for the racking arm, put a couple layers of masking tape on both sides over the spot you want to drill and then use a sharp spade bit and go nice and slow. The point on the spade bit lets you start the hole exactly where you want it and it drills a perfectly round hole. I tried a regular twist drill bit and really tore one up.

I also use these for grain storage. Perfect size for a 55# sack.

There also was a guy selling smaller ones (7 gallon I think) on ebay some time back. Probably would be good for 5 gallon batches. As I recall, shipping is the killer though.

[toonces]

how are you sanitizing them? i seem to remember a thread where use of a particular sanitizer on plastic was causing off taste....
can't find it now....

[dmaxweb]

how are you sanitizing them? i seem to remember a thread where use of a particular sanitizer on plastic was causing off taste....
can't find it now....

After I use them, I clean them with some oxyclean, water and a sponge. When I get ready to use them, I use a star san solution.


Now you have me wondering about off taste.

[toonces]

i've searched about 4 differnet ways and can't find the thread. i'm pretty certain it was on this board. and i seem to remember it was the use of a certain sanitizer with plastic.

anyone else remember this? little help, i haven't had caffine yet....

This post has been edited by toonces: May 31 2008, 09:24 AM

[MicCullen]

i've searched about 4 differnet ways and can't find the thread. i'm pretty certain it was on this board. and i seem to remember it was the use of a certain sanitizer with plastic.

anyone else remember this? little help, i haven't had caffine yet....

yeah it was blktre, he and snowman had some ldpe barrels they got from somebody, and they were giving off a sulfur odor when they got starsan in them. seems that's what I recall

[rico567]

If I have to wonder that much about whether a beer of mine has an off taste- it doesn't! This works for me, otherwise I can get psyched into thinking the beer has this faint taste of "X," except it invariably develops I'm the only one who can taste it....

Maybe that would be a good solution: hold a blind tasting, and see what the reactions are. Never a big problem to invite people for a beer, either.....

[toonces]

yeah it was blktre, he and snowman had some ldpe barrels they got from somebody, and they were giving off a sulfur odor when they got starsan in them. seems that's what I recall

bingo. so, max. look at the bottom of your container where the little triangle is. does it say ldpe? and are you using starsan?

thanks, mic.

[dmaxweb]

bingo. so, max. look at the bottom of your container where the little triangle is. does it say ldpe? and are you using starsan?

thanks, mic.

This is what is on the bottom. The thing is though that the smell was there when I got them. I have tried soaking in a bleach solution and also oxyclean but no luck. I do use starsan

(IMG:http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k262/dmaxweb/Barrel2.jpg)
(IMG:http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k262/dmaxweb/Barrel.jpg)

[MicCullen]

This is what is on the bottom. The thing is though that the smell was there when I got them. I have tried soaking in a bleach solution and also oxyclean but no luck. I do use starsan

(IMG:http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k262/dmaxweb/Barrel2.jpg)
(IMG:http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k262/dmaxweb/Barrel.jpg)

Try soaking in hot water mixed with a cup of baking soda dissolved overnight.