"Houston...we have a problem."

General Homebrew Discussion
1

So I just brewed up a beautiful category 5D Pilsner, doing a single step decoction mash.

A modified Zapap lautering device was set up for wort recirculation in the mash tun, using a food grade (FDA approved) plastic bucket, with holes drilled in a shower-head pattern. The manufacturer advised it has a working temp rating of 180 degrees.

I cut the recirculation short after I noted a faint odor of plastic. Finished up the brewing, pitched the yeast, and thought all is well.

Just now we heated up some water to 185 degrees, with this plastic bucket submerged in the water. I did detect a faint aroma of warm plastic.

Then my wife and I both tasted the water the bucket was in…you guessed it, tastes like plastic!

Will this taste show up in the finished beer? Will it be detectable now, after two days of vigorous fermenting?

While the bucket is actually made in China, the manufacturing company is M&M Industries, Chattanooga, TN.

This was my method for mashing, decades ago before we went all stainless. Never had an issue before.

What do you think, is this a 10 gallon toilet flusher?

2

Who knows? Was the bucket HDPE? How certain are you that confirmation bias didn’t play into the water tasting?

3

I called M&M, www.ultimatepail.com, and they said all of the resins used are US FDA approved. Food Grade.
No mention anywhere on the bucket of HDPE.

The water did not have any plastic odor, but both of us could detect a faint plastic taste. I wanted not to taste any plastic, so do not think any bias played a role.

4

If you can’t verify it’s HDPE, then I wouldn’t use it.

5

All I needed to see was the word China. Don’t buy anything from China.  My two cents.

6

There should be a symbol on the bottom of the bucket to indicate the type of resin used. All the buckets I have are made in the USA.

See this link:

7

Bought a nice stainless steel colander. Perfect size for my mash tun.
Going to brew this again tomorrow.
Worst case is I will have 20 gallons of German Pilsner on hand!

8

Thanks! I found it, and big letters: HDPE.

9

Then it should be safe.

10

I sure hope so! But tomorrow we will brew a second batch, just to be safe. Might have to hold a beer party!

11

As long as a judge approves I’m sure it will be amazing! Good job

12

Yes, of course as this beer is being brewed for a competition.
Might enter a new category, European Bitter Resin Beer.

13

Update -
As of today, there is no plastic flavor / aroma that we can detect in this beer. It still has a ways to go to completion.

14

And I suspect there may never have been. Its possible you were misinterpreting it.