Is That Supposed To Smell Like That?

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by BeerKangaroo, Jul 12, 2012.

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  1. BeerKangaroo

    BeerKangaroo Initiate (0) May 30, 2011 Alaska

    So, I just got done working on my first beer and I went to clean and sanitize everything before I put it away and ever since I got done bottling and cleaning this Tuesday (July 10th) everything seemed to clean well except my fermenter. No matter how much I sanitize it and clean it with non-abrasive materials, this plastic container continues to smell like hops. So, is this supposed to do this and I'm just worrying too much? If it is supposed to smell like that, how much will it affect my next beer? Might I need to buy a new fermenting bucket? This bucket didn't sit longer than two hours until I was able to do the initial cleaning. Any thoughts? Anyone?
     
    #1 BeerKangaroo, Jul 12, 2012
  2. unclejimbay

    unclejimbay Initiate (0) Aug 25, 2008 Florida

    No worries, its normal.
     
    #2 unclejimbay, Jul 12, 2012
  3. MaxSpang

    MaxSpang Initiate (0) Jan 28, 2011 Ohio
    Trader

    I don't use plastic fermenters, but my cooler mash tun (which is plastic) always seems to smell like grain no matter how much I wash it and I haven't had a problem with it yet.

    Just out of curiosity, what are you using to clean your fermenter?
     
    #3 MaxSpang, Jul 12, 2012
  4. HopNuggets

    HopNuggets Initiate (0) Oct 8, 2009 Connecticut

    If you really care to get rid of the smell I hear you can loosely crumble up newspaper and pile it into the bucket and it's supposed to eat up aromas. Personally it doesn't bother me enough and it's gone by the time the next batch is ready to go into the fermenter.
     
    #4 HopNuggets, Jul 12, 2012
  5. bgjohnston

    bgjohnston Initiate (0) Jan 14, 2009 Connecticut

    A sunny day outdoors works wonders if you are really concerned. But it I haven't noticed a problem from it myself.
     
    #5 bgjohnston, Jul 12, 2012
  6. GreenKrusty101

    GreenKrusty101 Initiate (0) Dec 4, 2008 Nevada

    OxyClean works wonders on hop oils...I'm such a hophead though, I don't even bother : )
     
    #6 GreenKrusty101, Jul 12, 2012
  7. MarkF150

    MarkF150 Zealot (675) Feb 9, 2009 Massachusetts

    OxyClean is where its at. Warm water and half a scoop in your fermentor and it will be brand new.
     
    #7 MarkF150, Jul 13, 2012
  8. MutchBrew

    MutchBrew Initiate (0) Jul 5, 2012 Washington

    That's the nature of using plastic. It is a porous material and will absorb colors and scents. I don't think you should be worried about it too much. Your next batch of beer will turn out fine regardless. But I am in agreement that OxyClean is where it is at if you are worried about it.
     
    #8 MutchBrew, Jul 13, 2012
  9. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,067) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    Uh oh. I see your concern.. What if my next batch of beer ends up smelling like hops? :slight_smile:

    Yes.

    From a threshold of perception standpoint, not at all.
     
    #9 VikeMan, Jul 13, 2012
    GreenKrusty101, BigCheese, goodonezach and 2 others like this.
  10. BeerKangaroo

    BeerKangaroo Initiate (0) May 30, 2011 Alaska

    Alright, I guess I'm just overly thinking it and was only wondering if I decided to do my next beer with less hops how much it would be affected. Joke's on me, I guess. So uh . . . y'all can make fun of the newbie now, go ahead, I deserve it.:slight_smile:
     
    #10 BeerKangaroo, Jul 13, 2012
  11. GreenKrusty101

    GreenKrusty101 Initiate (0) Dec 4, 2008 Nevada

    Drinking an ESB right now with Styrian Goldings...kinda like a bucket beer (although nice and smooth) : )

    RHAHB and don't worry about the bucket. Cheers.
     
    #11 GreenKrusty101, Jul 14, 2012
  12. robinsmv

    robinsmv Initiate (0) Jun 24, 2010 Florida

    Is it too late to say that this bucket has been destroyed and should be sent to me for proper disposal?
     
    #12 robinsmv, Jul 14, 2012
  13. kbuzz

    kbuzz Initiate (0) Jan 22, 2011 North Carolina

    My beer-making equipment smells like beer-making ingredients...has always seemed normal to me...and has never caused me problems.
     
    #13 kbuzz, Jul 14, 2012
  14. BeerKangaroo

    BeerKangaroo Initiate (0) May 30, 2011 Alaska

    Yeah, that's what I thought was interesting when I bought the whole brewing kit from the home brewing shop, plastic (I thought, isn't that a porous material), I didn't want to argue with him since I'm still new to trying out homebrewing. But, I've had a lot of good advice from everyone on BA, thanx a million to you guys!
     
    #14 BeerKangaroo, Jul 14, 2012
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