Cleaning 220 liter fermenter drum

[Vicki55]

Hello everyone, merry xmas and happy new year.

We are finally getting abround to setting up a 220lt fermenter(one of those brown olive barrels), i have read a few posts and following one that suggested to fill the barrel and add a cup of Napisan (I added a cup of Sodium Percarbonate 100%) and then rinse out then add a box of Bicarb leave for a day then hose out.

I have noticed there is an oily film onto of the water, what us the best way to get rid of the oil or will the Sodium percarbonate do that while soaking?

[coffe addict]

Yeah napisan takes care of the oil, depending on the amount of oil still in the drum it may need a repeat.
If you have a paint mixer and a drill it'll make it easier for the napisan to break up any oils.

[EziTasting]

Yeah napisan takes care of the oil, depending on the amount of oil still in the drum it may need a repeat.
If you have a paint mixer and a drill it'll make it easier for the napisan to break up any oils.

That"s the easy way! You could always grab a scourer and lay the barrel on its side and then scrub by hand while crawling in ... be warned, tho, it seems that when you do, or everytime you do, someone will walk up behind you and "Boop" your back end! :laughing-rolling:

[andybear]

I cleaned mine with hot soapy water ( morning fresh ) and using a soft brush, you will have to really lean in, or attach a handle to the brush. then give it a blast with a high pressure cleaner. This will really get the suds out. It was a strong soapy mix. And finally a rinse with Milton tablets and cold water. I only made up about 10 litres so I rolled it around alot and let it stand in many positions over the week with the lid on.
Milton tablets are baby bottle sterilisers, you can buy them from supermarkets.

[Aussiedownunder01]

Yeah napisan takes care of the oil, depending on the amount of oil still in the drum it may need a repeat.
If you have a paint mixer and a drill it'll make it easier for the napisan to break up any oils.

That"s the easy way! You could always grab a scourer and lay the barrel on its side and then scrub by hand while crawling in ... be warned, tho, it seems that when you do, or everytime you do, someone will walk up behind you and "Boop" your back end! :laughing-rolling:

Never clean fermenters with a scourer it will stuff them

[hillzabilly]

Plastic fermenters can be damaged by scourers and steel wool :handgestures-thumbdown: ,it causes scratch's and stuffs the smooth surface ,makeing it easy for crap to get stuck in them wich could lead ta contaminated brews and losses,and makes future cleaning harder.I found a cheap cobb web brush from bunnings with a long handle good for the 200lt fermenters,mine still had a slight smell of olives for the first brew or two ,but no smell or taste ever carried over to the end product.cheers hillzabilly :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[hillzabilly]

And when I am done cleaning it ,I put it upside down on a milk crate with one side partly cut out and spray the hose up inside ta rinse it out,then move it into the shed that way ta dry out.cheers hillzabilly ;-)

[Professor Green]

Plastic fermenters can be damaged by scourers and steel wool :handgestures-thumbdown: ,it causes scratch's and stuffs the smooth surface ,makeing it easy for crap to get stuck in them wich could lead ta contaminated brews and losses,and makes future cleaning harder.I found a cheap cobb web brush from bunnings with a long handle good for the 200lt fermenters,mine still had a slight smell of olives for the first brew or two ,but no smell or taste ever carried over to the end product.cheers hillzabilly :handgestures-thumbupleft:

I use a cobweb broom too. Works brilliantly.

Cheers,
Prof. Green