My Better Bottle fermenter still has remnants of the last fermentation in the shoulder of the fermenter. I think the technical term for this stuff is braun hefe. I soaked twice overnight with a cold PBW solution of 1 tsp/ gal. I’ve soaked for several days in a cold solution of oxyclean (lots of oxyclean). I’ve used a spray wand several times. What is next? I’m hoping to stay away from caustic.
A several day soak of Oxyclean has always cleaned my better bottles. Have you tried using warm water with Oxyclean, around 120F. It’s not hot enough to warp the BB but may work better with soaking. Eventually it will cool but you should get a good few hours at warmer temperatures.
You could also stick a wash cloth in there with some warm oxyclean/pbw solution and shake the hell out of it.
this was always necessary for the stubborn stains when I used BBs. Works well.
1 teaspoon per gallon? That isn’t much. I’d have gone with at least 1 tablespoon per gallon with hot water. That should’ve gotten it all. I usually use a full scoop of the PBW mix I made. The scooper is what comes with the oxiclean tubs. But then again, I use glass carboys, not PET.
+1. I also have a small plastic tube brush that I bent so I can gently brush it away. If you have a cap, fill it with a gallon of hot (125F) water and some Oxi and soak it upside down and swirl every 15-20 minutes.
Dave
Thanks, if the current soak doesn’t work, I’ll try shaking the fermenter with a strong, warm solution of PBW/oxiclean and a wash cloth.
…or an old sock. That’s what I’ve always used 
I use a concentration of 2 oz of PBW in 5 gallons of hot faucet water and let it soak overnight. On the few occasions where it didn’t all come off a 2nd round took care of it.
Why not use hot water? IIRC the recommended concentration for PBW in cold water is 2-3 oz/gal.
This has been my experience as well. I will say, that for whatever reason, Oxyclean works better for me with cleaning the Better Bottles. For everything else, I use PBW.
I wouldn’t use a brush because you risk scratching the inner plastic surface.
I’m not sure, but you might not want to mix the two. Some cleaning materials will react when mixed. Lol you might end up with some bathtub crank!
Oxiclean is one half of what’s already in PBW so mixing those two is no problem
Glass…glass…glass. Cleans up real,easy in 20 minutes or less.
I agree with trying hot water rather than cold water with the oxyclean.
Me too. I use hot water no matter what.
Dave
I use fairly hot water with quite a bit of PBW, but I would caution anyone against overnight soaks with such a solution. This will in my experience ruin your BB.
read their study and make your own decision. Since limiting contact time I’ve had zero stress cracking in the BBs. http://www.better-bottle.com/pdf/WashingSanitizingStudy.pdf
The stuff they recommend simply does not do the job nearly as well. Also, I get my PBW fully dissolved in a bucket before pouring into the BB. For truly stubborn gunk I leave it longer, but make sure the fermenter is inverted so I’m not exposing the bottom to the solution (the trouble spots are usually near the top anyway, right?)
cheers–
–Michael
I’ll try the Free & Clear Natural 2X Seventh Generation detergent if the current 5-day soak in PBW/oxyclean does not work. Sometimes you gotta change your approach rather than doing more of the same.
I tried the 7th generation detergent and did 2 soaks before dumping it an hitting it with PBW. I have started inverting by BB when soaking with PBW to avoid stress fractures on the bottom.
Free & Clear Natural 2X Seventh Generation detergent worked like a charm (after weeklong soak). PBW and oxyclean will remain my first and second choices.