...well maybe not quite an emergency but here goes...

I just spent the last of my weeks paycheck on a bunch of great malts, hops, etc. so I can make a chocolate stout.

However, I just looked at my Ale Pale (fermenting bucket) which I haven't used in a while and discovered purple spots that looks like they are stained into the plastic? I've tried scrubbing them with hot water and Dawn Direct Foam with some steel wool and also a brilla pad. I can't seem to get them out. They aren't raised or anything and the bucket doesn't smell.

Does anyone know how to get these out or if it is safe to go ahead and start brewing?

2/10/2008 4:25:54 PM

I would go ahead. Just do not tell anyone whom you may share the beer with about them. They might be scared to drink it.

2/10/2008 4:44:06 PM

Bleach.

2/10/2008 4:45:32 PM

I've heard it's bad to use steel wool or any other abrasive materials on the fermenter. I guess it makes it harder to keep clean and gives bacteria more places to hide.

2/10/2008 4:57:41 PM

I wouldn't use it, especially after scratching the hell out of your bucket with steel wool. Bacteria can easily hide in there.

Bleach works fine for cleaning and sanitizing, provided you use the right bleach and correct concentration.

For info on using bleach: http://media.libsyn.com/media/basicbrewing/bbr03-29-07.mp3

[Edited on February 10, 2008 at 5:11 PM. Reason : .]

2/10/2008 5:10:29 PM

what he said...not worth possibly ruining your batch over a $15 bucket, relegate it to mixing sanitizing solution or something

and in the future, use non-abrasives when cleaning plastic brewing equipment

2/10/2008 5:45:45 PM

nah man you'll be fine! mix up some white lightening and start drinkin'!

2/10/2008 11:51:36 PM

all good points, I ended up just putting the beer straight into the carboy for the primary fermenter so as not to take any chances. cooked up a great chocolate stout that should be ready by april! mm mmm

2/11/2008 12:42:48 PM

Perfectly Sanitary

I think making your own beer is the pinnacle of pretensiousness. Are the 1000's of cheap, clean and delicious beers currently on the market not good enough for you? More importantly, are you willing to sacrifice your friends' health by feeding them some shit you let rot in a bucket in your closet for several months?

2/11/2008 1:39:24 PM

^

2/11/2008 1:51:13 PM

your fucking self.

2/11/2008 2:06:21 PM

^ doesn't get it. nothing wrong with home brewing. out of the lounge fuckhead.

[Edited on February 11, 2008 at 2:36 PM. Reason : *]

2/11/2008 2:36:15 PM

Quote :

"several months"

2/11/2008 2:44:01 PM

Well how long do you let it rot for? I'm not going to take shit from you just because you bought a Mr. Beer kit on sale. Let me know if you ever use all your vast amounts of beer knowledge to fabricate something that's even on par with a miller lite.

2/11/2008 3:00:56 PM

Quote :

"Are the 1000's of cheap, clean and delicious beers currently on the market not good enough for you?"

There 1000's of cheap, clean and delicious restaurants? Why would anyone bother cooking at home? Maybe they want something not locally available? Maybe they want to tweak/change/experiment with the recipe to make it their own. Maybe they want to brew a expensive style of beer for cheap, (i agree that is would be stupid to homebrew bud light because there it no way to make it for the price one can buy it for) but when i brewery sells a 6 pack for like 15 bucks or a 22oz bottle for 15 bucks and i can make something similar for about 40-50 bucks a 5 gallon batch (2 cases of 12 oz bottles).

Quote :

"More importantly, are you willing to sacrifice your friends' health by feeding them some shit you let rot in a bucket in your closet for several months?"

many breweries intentionally add bacteria to beer. the issue here is not endangering peoples lives, it is about the bacteria producing unwanted flavor(s) in said beer. i feel very confident that not bad would have came out of it other than a potentially sour stout, which may not have been such a bad thing.

Quote :

"Well how long do you let it rot for? I'm not going to take shit from you just because you bought a Mr. Beer kit on sale. Let me know if you ever use all your vast amounts of beer knowledge to fabricate something that's even on par with a miller lite."

i think you mean ferment. and it depends on the beer. could be days, weeks or months. people that homebrew general do look to miller lite as the epitome of beer nor do they wish to brew it.

[Edited on February 11, 2008 at 3:13 PM. Reason : .]

2/11/2008 3:08:36 PM

Quote :

"even on par with a miller lite."

If you knew what they put in this beer and the shit they used to put in it, you would realize the irony of this statement...

2/11/2008 3:22:36 PM

I think the insult was lost on you.

2/11/2008 3:30:38 PM

Quote :

"Are the 1000's of cheap, clean and delicious beers currently on the market not good enough for you?"

In addition to the fine points already made, I'd wager that no less than 90% of these commercial brewers got their start home brewing. I can make certain styles for cheaper than I could buy them, but that's not what it's about. Some people get off on creating.

Quote :

"More importantly, are you willing to sacrifice your friends' health by feeding them some shit you let rot in a bucket in your closet for several months?"

If you can follow simple instructions and have some common sense, home brew is no more "dangerous" than commercial.

Quote :

"Mr. Beer kit"

lol

2/11/2008 3:33:33 PM

Quote :

""Are the 1000's of cheap, clean and delicious beers currently on the market not good enough for you?""

Theres thousands of cheap, clean and delicious foods out there, but I've heard that some people risk their health and time to make their own food. Seriously WTF?

2/11/2008 3:38:29 PM

I knew the mere mention of Mr. Beer in this thread would get a laugh.

2/11/2008 3:38:45 PM

at first glance i thought this said hebrew emergency

2/11/2008 5:10:08 PM