VWP

[Addled Jim]

I've been filling the FV full with water (5-6 Gal-ish)and adding 10 tsp of VWP disolved into warm water - so far so good, however dispite 6 rinses completely filling the FV there is a chlorine smell, not overpowering but enough for me to repeat that many times
The question is am I using too much VWP, has the tap watergot higher levels of chlorine than earlier in the year and I can smell this, or could the plastic of the FV become weakened and absorbed/trapped chlorine?
I soaked the FV in fresh water this morning, went to work and tonight emptied but the chlorine smell persists . I dont want to set of a brew only to ruin it, but really wanted this one going before xmas

Any ideas anyone?

[Beer O'Clock]

I've been filling the FV full with water (5-6 Gal-ish)and adding 10 tsp of VWP disolved into warm water - so far so good, however dispite 6 rinses completely filling the FV there is a chlorine smell, not overpowering but enough for me to repeat that many times
The question is am I using too much VWP, It's possible but it doesn't sound like an outrageous amount has the tap water got higher levels of chlorine than earlier in the year and I can smell this, Quite likely. Water can vary from day to day or could the plastic of the FV become weakened and absorbed/trapped chlorine? Not likely if it was food grade plastic. If it's an off the shelf FV, it will be extremely tolerant of this sort of thing.
I soaked the FV in fresh water this morning, went to work and tonight emptied but the chlorine smell persists . I dont want to set of a brew only to ruin it, but really wanted this one going before xmas

Any ideas anyone?

I use VWP* and don't measure. There have been occassions where the chlorine smell has been stronger but to no detriment to the brew that followed. Give the FV a repeated flush with running water and it should be fine.
Sometimes, I think the smell can be comforting.


*I now only use it for cleaning. Sanitizing is down to StarSan.

[Addled Jim]

Cheers that's certainly what I think myself.
The only niggle in the back of my mind is that the FV is nearly 20-ish years old (though I had not until recently been brewing after a 20 year lay off) and could the plastic have deteriorated during that time; it was clean properly and sealed during that time and I’ve made 2 successful brews since

[oldbloke]

I don't know why I think it, but i think VWP should be 1tsp/gallon

Many treat chlorinated water with Campden maybe a good soak with a Campden solution might help?

[Addled Jim]

It says 1 to 2 per gallon, so I used 10 level spoons for nearly 6 gallons, which I thought was inbetween - maybe I should go for the lowest?
Not used campden before, seeing that I use cheapo bottled which has had the chlorine removed for the brew
Perhaps I should use StarSan and take the chlorine out of the equation, I've already read the stuff on the board about it, probably be easier

[Pinto]

I Tsp per Gallon - more is just wasteful IMO.

As mentioned above, I rinse with 5 litres of hot water thats had 2 campden tabs crushed and disolved into it - kills any residual chlorine smell dead.

[Addled Jim]

Cheers, will try that

[TonySan]

You may also want to replace the FV. I had a cheap 15 year old one that split when I picked it up with just 1 gallon of water in it as it had gone brittle.

[Jim]

Agree with previous posters - 1 tspn per gallon is more than enough.

[Belter]

the fermenting vessel should be fine. also the chlorine smell could be from the tap water.I kept questioning whether I was rinsing enough until I realised I was smelling the chlorine from my tap water.

[Addled Jim]

Im more than convinced now its the tap water, the hangover pint glass of water besiide the bed smelt like a swimming pool this morning, the shower also - the water has definately got more chlorine in it than earlier in the year.

[Belter]

I think you are just picking up on it now you have been 'trying' to smell it after rinsing VWP.

[Addled Jim]

Perhaps, though I used the same amount of VWP as before and rinsed same number of times; initially anyway, this was the first time that 3 rinses still smelt, and after 6 was still the same - thats when I gave up and aborted the brew

[Pinto]

Campden tabs

For really stained or questionable bottles, I always sterilise with hot water and thin bleach - using the campden rinse kills any trace of the bleach !

[Nigel1969]

I always half the manufactures recommended amount. 1 teaspoon per 2/3 gallon, swilled around, does the job. People put too much of this stuff in. They obviously want you to buy more.