Vinegary fermenter smell

[ulladullafulla]

G'Day everyone,

I am a newbie to home brewing.
I was given a home brew set up, the previous owner had not cleaned out the fermenter, for a while it seems.
There was sour old wort on the bottom and sides, I washed it out but the vinegary smell still remains.
Its like its impregnated the plastic or something.
Is there a way to clean it so to get rid of the odour?

Will the odour affect my first brew?
Any suggestions from the Home Brew oracles please? . . . . .great site by the way!!

Cheers
sid

[timmy]

Hi Sid (and welcome),

I'm reading a book on cider and they mention this problem. Their recommendation is to soak the fermenter in a solution of water and bi-carb. Not sure how much off the top of my head though. Perhaps try a couple of tablespoons and see if it works....

Cheers,

Tim

[ulladullafulla]

Hi Tim

Thanks for the welcome and your prompt reply!

I will give the bicarb solution you suggested a go.
I've since noticed that the rubber seal on the lid is perished and is the worst offender of the odour,(will replace).
Hope it works Tim, thanks . . . . will let you know how I get on.

. . . .Danzars 'basic brewing instructions' sticky seems to be a good starting point for me as a novice.

Cheers
Sid

[Bum]

Chris' "Simple things that make homebrew better" stickie is another good one.

Good luck with it.

[ulladullafulla]

Thanks for that Bum!!

Just checking out the 'Darwin Stubby' thread, . . . . . along with all the brewing kit came 2 Darwin stubbies full of home brew labelled March 2006.
. . . . I'm trying real hard to hold off till the weekend to try them, (hope they're still OK).

Cheers All
Sid

[drsmurto]

Fill it up with a sodium percarbonate solution (active ingredient in napisan) like you would for soaking clothes.

Leave it for a few days and then rinse it with plenty of water.

If that doesn't clean it, its a lost cause.