White scale like substance in plastic fermenter

Post by **Andy** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 3:50 pm

I've got a white scale like substance forming on the inner surface of my plastic fermenter. Originally I thought it was scratches in the plastic but upon further investigation it's actually a scale-like layer which has increased over the last few brews. It's obviously a pretty hardy substance as cleaning with a dishcloth doesn't touch it. If I scrape it with a fingernail then it comes off.

Is this beerstone ? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beerstone

I'm ditching the fermenter anyway and getting a new one today but just wanted to understand what this stuff is and how to avoid it in the future.

Post by **Jim** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 4:27 pm

Is it all over the surface or concentrated in certain places?

Post by **Andy** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 4:38 pm

It's in in patches around the full circumference of the bucket.

(By that I don't mean it's at the top of the bucket only....)

I'll have to take a pic and post up.

BigEd · Post by **BigEd** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 2:11 am

Since beerstone is neither white or scaly I'm guessing it's probably a calcium salt precipitate from your water and/or cleaner residue. Try some hot water and white vinegar and see if that takes care of it.

Post by **Andy** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 9:35 am

Initially I though it was the plastic degrading but it's definitely a layer which has formed on the surface of the plastic and when scratched off with fingernail gives a white powder. So I guess it's something along the lines of BigEds suggestion...I only clean the fermenter with a cloth and hot water so can't be some cleaner residue.

I treat my mash liquor with CRS (approx 0.4ml/L) but I'm certainly not alone in that. I'll see if it occurs on the new fermenter.

crow_flies · Post by **crow_flies** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 2:31 pm

Andy,

I use loads more CRS than you as you know and I don't get it, so prob. not the CRS.

what was your total alkilinity by the way?

/CF

Post by **Jim** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 2:51 pm

Andy, could it be related to your yeast - it's pretty scary stuff when it gets going?

Or what about finings?

Post by **Andy** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 2:59 pm

CF - 272 as HCO3 apparently but if I use the amount of CRS recommended for that level of hardness then my mash pH is too acidic. So probably less than that really!

Jim - I don't add finings to the fermenter, they get added when I rack to conditioning tank. Could be the scary yeast I suppose but not heard of a similar outcome before with lively yeasts...

Edit: This is the closest similar issue I could find...

http://groups.google.co.uk/group/rec.cr ... f3dd1974d2

Perhaps it is yeast sticking to the side of the fermenter and me not cleaning it sufficiently afterwards ? Must be pretty hardy stuff to withstand hot water and a dishcloth though, I do give the bin a good clean after use.... (or I *thought* I did!)

crow_flies · Post by **crow_flies** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 6:22 pm

so Andy, using my calculation sheet you'd be using a dosing rate of between 0.9 and 1.05 per litre dependent on target range?

that's with a total alkilinity of 222 (272/1.22 to give CaCO3).

my 279 value comes out at an approx 340 HCO3 (using 1.22 multiplier as an approximation). that explains why I am usuing so much more CRS than you at least.

I guess its other aspects of the water makeup that influence acidity too - as I dont get over acidic mash at all.

/CF

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White scale like substance in plastic fermenter

White scale like substance in plastic fermenter