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  • 1.  Pungent smelling gasket

    Posted 01-18-2023 19:08
    I recently purchased a replacement door gasket for one of my lagering tanks and, oooooh boy, is it pungent smelling. Almost floral like. It's so pungent that I'm worried it could impart a flavor or aroma on my beer.

    Any suggestions as to how to get rid of the scent? We've already tried soaking it in caustic, thinking of trying PAA or a different acid sani next, but figured I'd come here to see if anyone has any suggestions.

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    Lisa Allen (she/her)
    Head Brewer/Production Manager/Owner
    Heater Allen Brewing
    McMinnville OR
    (503) 472-4898
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  • 2.  RE: Pungent smelling gasket

    Posted 01-19-2023 12:02
    Hi Lisa,

    I recall reading somewhere that some brewers soak new gaskets in yeast slurry to remove malodors.  Maybe somebody else can confirm or deny if it works or not.

    Hope this helps.

    Dana

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    Dana Johnson
    Technical Director, Craft Brewing
    Birko - A Diversey Company
    Henderson CO
    (303) 289-1090, ext. 117
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  • 3.  RE: Pungent smelling gasket

    Posted 01-20-2023 18:40

    Yeast conditioning, also called pickling, is very good at removing the synthetic odors. Fill a large receiver with fresh yeast slurry, set in the door gaskets and let sit (cold) for a day or two. This also works well in conditioning new rubber beer hose. Fill the hose with fresh yeast, keep it somewhere cold and let it sit for a day or two, just make sure you let the hose vent out. Follow with a thorough cleaning and rinsing. The product should smell of yeast and beer with no synthetic smells.

     

    Cheers,

     

    Karl

     

    Consulting Brewer

    Karl Ockert Brewing Services LLC

    www.ockertbrewserv.com

    Cell:  503-887-1938

     






  • 4.  RE: Pungent smelling gasket

    Posted 01-19-2023 12:55
    Soak in 10 ppm of Oxine (stabilized ClO2) great product for absorbing smellls

    Jeff.

    Jeff Gunn
    President & CEO
    IDD Process & Packaging, Inc.
    5450 Tech Circle
    Moorpark, CA 93021
    Toll Free: 800-621-4144
    Tel: 805-529-9890
    Fax: 805-529-9282
    Cell: 805-444-3842
    Web Site: www.iddeas.com





  • 5.  RE: Pungent smelling gasket

    Posted 01-19-2023 13:51
    Hello Lisa, 

    Good on you for maintaining door gaskets!   And you are correct, new elastomers can impart flavor.
         
    Assuming the gasket meets with your product contact material specifications,
    try conditioning via immersion in viable yeast slurry, for 3 days.  Use a vessel unrelated to current production.

    Upon removal, repeat your sensory analysis procedure. 

    I'll be surprised if there isn't a TQ article or MBAA literature reference on yeast conditioning procedures, and if others don't share their tips.   

    Let us know how it turns out for Heater.

    Best,

    ------------------------------
    David Ammons, PE
    Retired Brewing Engineering Manager
    Saint Louis MO

    ammfamd2@gmail.com
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  • 6.  RE: Pungent smelling gasket

    Posted 01-20-2023 20:57
    Thank you everyone for your responses!

    The gasket in question was put in a yeast slurry yesterday and we're letting it sit over the weekend, I'll let you know our results on Monday.

    ------------------------------
    Lisa Allen
    Head Brewer
    Heater Allen Brewing
    McMinnville OR
    (503) 472-4898
    ------------------------------



  • 7.  RE: Pungent smelling gasket

    Posted 01-23-2023 12:00
    The results: It kind of worked. The gasket isn't as pungent smelling as it was, but there is definitely still an unpleasant aroma. I'm not too surprised as the smell of this gasket was very strong. We are going to try it again tomorrow and see if a double yeast slurry bath does the trick.

    ------------------------------
    Lisa Allen
    Head Brewer
    Heater Allen Brewing
    McMinnville OR
    (503) 472-4898
    ------------------------------