First experience with an infected batch - buy new fermentation bucket?

[Leonie Hill]

Hi

Over the weekend I experienced my first infected batch. It was an awful experience. The wort stank and the surface was full of nasty looking stuff.

I put a lot of effort into cleaning all my equipment and sanitise it thoroughly, but something obviously went wrong.

The fermentation vessel which I use is made of plastic. I’ve probably done approx 15 to 20 brews in it.

I can’t wash the smell of the infected batch away - no matter how hard I try. I use standard PBW, but it does not do the job.

I worry that my next batch will get infected as well. Any tips for how to clean the plastic bucket or shall I just buy a new?

I live in Singapore hence I ferment in a small wine fridge. The fridge is too small to accommodate one the stainless steel vessels currently on the market.

cheers,
The happy Brewer

 

[RPh_Guy]

Hot PBW soak at least 24 hours is a good plan, followed by a water rinse, acid rinse, and another water rinse.

Putting it out in the sun might help remove the odor.

 

[bucketnative]

Not sure what the cost of a food safe bucket is in Singapore, but in the US it is much less expensive than the cost of the ingredients for a new batch. I would definitely get a new one, and use the old one for storage or something else.

 

[fendersrule]

Baking soda + Vinegar is good for removing smells.

But 6 gallon fermenting buckets are my local HBS + drilled + spigot is like, $13 or whatever.

They say when using plastic that you should replace it every so often. It may be just time to replace it and use it as a grain bucket for milling or a storage bucket.