Carl January 12, 2008 Share January 12, 2008 (edited) I've acquired a 55 gallon drum that was used to hold Malted Barley...The molassas-type Barley easily cleaned off the drum with soap and water, but It still has a smell of Barley...how do I clean it further before using it for holding water? Gallon of bleach? -Carl Edited January 12, 2008 by Carl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zotzer January 12, 2008 Share January 12, 2008 That, or something acidic like vinegar should take care of it, I'd think. T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl January 12, 2008 Author Share January 12, 2008 Should I put a gallon full strength vinegar in it, and swish? Or do I put 50 gallons of water, and 2 gallons of vinegar...and let it sit for a couple of days? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zotzer January 12, 2008 Share January 12, 2008 If it were me, I'd do the latter. Swishing vinegar sounds like a risky proposition! LOL Worst comes to worst, it will just end up smelling like barley AND vinegar. T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NRehman January 12, 2008 Share January 12, 2008 If you're using full strength vinegar, try not to put your head into the barrel....it's all in the fumes...! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jnguyen4007 January 12, 2008 Share January 12, 2008 It takes time to get rid of that smell. I have a 55 gal drum and a 35 gal drum that was used at Pepsi plant to store their Dr Pepper syrup. Even after I washed it with bleach and vinegar, that smell still there. Finally after several months, the smell went away. Just make sure you clean the drum thoroughly before you start using it to store your water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YBeNormal January 12, 2008 Share January 12, 2008 I'd like to do some independent testing before offering advice. Anyone have a 55g drum of Yuengling they'd like to donate to the research project? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flowerseller January 12, 2008 Share January 12, 2008 That, or something acidic like vinegar should take care of it, I'd think.T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctenophore January 12, 2008 Share January 12, 2008 My water mixing containers were used for orange oil storage. They still smell like orange oil 5 years and thousands of gallons of R/O+saltwater later. Never had a problem with it. So you may be okay with the barley smell. Worst case, you get a faint trace in your water that is taken out by carbon and/or skimming when it reaches your tank. Justin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rrubberbandman January 13, 2008 Share January 13, 2008 lets just make more beer.............yeungling sounds great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl January 13, 2008 Author Share January 13, 2008 Thanks for all your replies. I think I'll use vinegar and/or bleach (separately)...and if some smell persists, I doubt it will have any effect long term...as long as I have good skimming and carbon. -Carl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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