How Does One Get 'That' Smell Out?

[roostershooter7]

I made the mistake of using one of my good winemaking fermenting buckets for corn 'beer', and I can't get that sour smell out.

Does anyone have any trick on cleaning a fermenting bucket to get the sour foot smell out, or should I chalk this one up to experience and designate it as a 'beer' fermenter from now on?

Thanks.

[heartcut]

My wife makes wine. I used one of her fermenters (with grapes painted on the side and gallon marks) for beer. Facing a monastic life if I failed, I used a cup of baking soda in the full fermenter of water (after a good scrub) and was no longer celibate. Good luck.

[roostershooter7]

I might try that. A buddy of mine suggested Barolkleen, but the baking soda is cheaper. Thanks.

[Usge]

if the soda doesn't do it, you might also try a bit of oxyclean/water. This bubbles down into the cracks. I'd finish with some star-san (a food grade acid for sanitizing). You can get it at your local homebrew store, or online. It's pricey, but you don't have to use much and it works really well/fast.

[RumBrewer]

Bleach! LOTS and LOTS of Bleach!

Then.... Rinse like it's your life!

[Usge]

Bleach/water solution works fine as a sanitizer. As mentioned you just have to make sure you rinse it really well (ie., until you don't smell bleach anymore).