I grabbed a food grade 30 gal drum today. Perfection for 15-20 gal wash/mash. Problem..... it had some sort of pumpkin extract in it. Its a standard blue plastic barrel.
Rinsed it out
Washed with hot water and dawn
scrubbed with vinegar
Results...... Pumpkin smell !!!!! Dammit!!!! I was going to wipe it down with 70% IPA real good but ran out of energy for tonight.
Any other suggestions?? Bleach? 12 gauge? I'm pissed. Supposed to have a sugar wash (my first first wash/mash ever) going in it tomorrow night. I did get two 55 gal food grade that had tomato paste in it but pretty much clean. But really would rather break in the small one because I also will be getting a 30 gallon sweet feed whiskey mash going behind the sugar wash.
Or, if nothing works let it work off? It is food grade and it was pumpkin after all. Not like it was dog sh*t. I assume a fermenting wash in it would help take the crap out of it. But I'd really rather clean it first. I'm making enough to have 5-6 gal to sacrifice and still have about 15-16 gal to actually run (birdwatchers). So I would prefer it not have a pumpkin overtone to it.
I think you will have to just do a sacrificial ferment in it to get the smell out. or just feel your 55 to what you want. you can try some bleach, then clean it with some stinky red wine?
if you cant build a paper airplane, then leave the rocket alone.
its like wiping before you poop, dont make sense.
I had great success getting the smell of olives out of several barrels by throwing them in my pool and super-chlorinating it. A few days later I fished them out and could detect ZERO smell. A thorough rinsing and you're good to go.
I'd try adding maybe 1/2 cup non-scented bleach to each and filling with water. Leave for 2 days. Rinse thoroughly with water, refill and leave for a few more days.
Not in time for tomorrow's wash but it'll do the job.
LL
Having fun stillin' seriously..... This antique engine runs best on high octane.
I just hit it with a 70% IPA wipe down and it seems to have killed 90% of it. Going back out in a bit to see how it is. If that didn't work I do have this sanitizing fluid for brewing vessels, fermenters ect that was in all brewing stuff my wife had given to her. But I think the alcohol knocked enough of it out to satisfy me.