# Life happens grains left in cooler for 2 weeks **URL:** \ **Category:** Brewing Processes\ **Created:** [August 7, 2014, 10:49am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/life-happens-grains-left-in-cooler-for-2-weeks/17346 "2014-08-07T10:49:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![koop3700](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/koop3700/32/2179_2.png) [@koop3700](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/koop3700)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2014, 10:49am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/life-happens-grains-left-in-cooler-for-2-weeks/17346/1 "2014-08-07T10:49:02Z")
So had a great brew day 2 weeks ago all went well. Called a friend to come get spent grains for his chickens he never showed up forgot about grains for 2 weeks. Whew pretty stinky soaked in pbw for a couple days still have some odor from cooler, letting it air out for now. Any suggestions on how to get rid of odor and would you reuse cooler? ---
**Author:** ![ynotbrusum](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/ynotbrusum/32/10316_2.png) [@ynotbrusum](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/ynotbrusum)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2014, 11:00am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/life-happens-grains-left-in-cooler-for-2-weeks/17346/2 "2014-08-07T11:00:31Z")
I’d soak it longer in the PBW - it shouldn’t hurt anything in terms of flavor affect on future beers, but if you really want to whack it, you could use unscented bleach solution, followed by thorough rinsing and then leave it open in the hot sun for a few days. Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![majorvices](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/majorvices/32/12825_2.png) [@majorvices](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/majorvices)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2014, 11:16am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/life-happens-grains-left-in-cooler-for-2-weeks/17346/3 "2014-08-07T11:16:52Z")
Fabreeze? Kidding. 😉 Unxcented bleach should clean most of it up but you may never get rid of all the smell. Gawd, I can’t imagine! :o ---
**Author:** ![skatz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/skatz/32/6982_2.png) [@skatz](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/skatz)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2014, 12:12pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/life-happens-grains-left-in-cooler-for-2-weeks/17346/4 "2014-08-07T12:12:13Z")
Lemon juice or vinegar followed by another pbw cleaning. Done this myself for a few days, can’t imagine how bad a couple of weeks is. ---
**Author:** ![duboman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/duboman/32/5890_2.png) [@duboman](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/duboman)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2014, 12:24pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/life-happens-grains-left-in-cooler-for-2-weeks/17346/5 "2014-08-07T12:24:02Z")
> [@ynotbrusum](#): > > I’d soak it longer in the PBW - it shouldn’t hurt anything in terms of flavor affect on future beers, but if you really want to whack it, you could use unscented bleach solution, followed by thorough rinsing and then leave it open in the hot sun for a few days. > > Good luck! +1 I’ve found this process to really work well! ---
**Author:** ![dak0415](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a4c791/32.png) [@dak0415](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/dak0415)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2014, 12:37pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/life-happens-grains-left-in-cooler-for-2-weeks/17346/6 "2014-08-07T12:37:03Z")
> [@duboman](#): > > > [@ynotbrusum](#): > > > > I’d soak it longer in the PBW - it shouldn’t hurt anything in terms of flavor affect on future beers, but if you really want to whack it, you could use unscented bleach solution, followed by thorough rinsing and then leave it open in the hot sun for a few days. > > > > Good luck! > > +1 > I’ve found this process to really work well! +2 There was a thread similar to this some time ago, except months, not two weeks.  The PBW/Bleach/Sun was the preferred method (unless you just want a new cooler). ---
**Author:** ![mtnrockhopper](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/mtnrockhopper/32/8305_2.png) [@mtnrockhopper](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/mtnrockhopper)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2014, 12:50pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/life-happens-grains-left-in-cooler-for-2-weeks/17346/7 "2014-08-07T12:50:21Z")
The good news is after you’ve cleaned and cleaned and cleaned - any remaining smell is probably completely embedded in the plastic and won’t come out in the mash. ---
**Author:** ![kramerog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/kramerog/32/19_2.png) [@kramerog](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/kramerog)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2014, 2:03pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/life-happens-grains-left-in-cooler-for-2-weeks/17346/8 "2014-08-07T14:03:34Z")
Don’t try a sour mash in this cooler.  Some of the bugs will likely survive by the outlet of your cooler.  Not really a concern for regular mashes since the bugs aren’t active above about 120 F. ---
**Author:** ![denny](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/denny/32/13092_2.png) [@denny](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/denny)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2014, 3:01pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/life-happens-grains-left-in-cooler-for-2-weeks/17346/9 "2014-08-07T15:01:09Z")
I use hot water and baking soda to remove odors. ---
**Author:** ![reverseapachemaster](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/reverseapachemaster/32/19_2.png) [@reverseapachemaster](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/reverseapachemaster)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2014, 3:53pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/life-happens-grains-left-in-cooler-for-2-weeks/17346/10 "2014-08-07T15:53:59Z")
I’ve had good luck with a week long soak of oxyclean in my buckets to remove both stains and smells. ---
**Author:** ![erockrph](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/erockrph/32/13330_2.png) [@erockrph](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/erockrph)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2014, 6:08pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/life-happens-grains-left-in-cooler-for-2-weeks/17346/11 "2014-08-07T18:08:27Z")
> [@denny](#): > > I use hot water and baking soda to remove odors. ^^^ this Vinegar can help too. I’d do vinegar first, then rinse, then baking soda if it’s really nasty. ---
**Author:** ![beerlord](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/beerlord/32/12231_2.png) [@beerlord](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/beerlord)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2014, 8:16pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/life-happens-grains-left-in-cooler-for-2-weeks/17346/12 "2014-08-07T20:16:46Z")
I also think lots of baking soda will work.  I had a friend who left seafood in an ice chest after a fishing trip.  We about threw up dinner when we opened it.  He washed it good with soap and water then got a ton of baking soda and hot water and then let is sit for days. Every day he go in with a sponge and wash with the soda liquid. Can’t even tell it’s used now.  It just takes lots of time. ---
**Author:** ![koop3700](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/koop3700/32/2179_2.png) [@koop3700](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/koop3700)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2014, 1:14pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/life-happens-grains-left-in-cooler-for-2-weeks/17346/13 "2014-08-09T13:14:14Z")
Baking soda worked great thanks for all the the input.I left the pbw in for 5 days still had some residual the baking soda took care of the rest thanks to all. ---
**Author:** ![dmtaylor](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/dmtaylor/32/9644_2.png) [@dmtaylor](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/dmtaylor)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2014, 1:18pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/life-happens-grains-left-in-cooler-for-2-weeks/17346/14 "2014-08-09T13:18:41Z")
I’ve left grains in my cooler for several weeks several times.  It doesn’t hurt anything.  The next time you mash in there and clean the cooler right away, the odd aroma will be gone. ---
**Author:** ![koop3700](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/koop3700/32/2179_2.png) [@koop3700](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/koop3700)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2014, 1:21pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/life-happens-grains-left-in-cooler-for-2-weeks/17346/15 "2014-08-09T13:21:42Z")
Wheew man the stench wow glad it came out note to self from now on lid stays open after brew day until clean. I have always cleaned up the next day this i never want to deal with again I am sure the neighbors would rather not where that smell is coming from either and it was a double batch 28lbs. Hard to keep a straight face to my buddy next door when he said he woke up at 2am and had to shut his windows ;D lmfao. thanks again to all. ---
**Author:** ![jaftak22](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/jaftak22/32/3204_2.png) [@jaftak22](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/jaftak22)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2014, 2:06pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/life-happens-grains-left-in-cooler-for-2-weeks/17346/16 "2014-08-11T14:06:03Z")
Nothing to do with cleaning the cooler. I brewed a batch last week and I usually trade them for chicken eggs. I forgot as well so I chucked the bag in the garbage can. It reeked really bad, on garbage day I happened to be outside. It smelled bad enough to make the garbage guy wince