Hello all,

I recently became the lucky recipient of a free 54 litre demijohn,
though empty, I was still pleased.

A look inside dampened my spirits a bit, as there were 3 dead mice in
there along with a bunch of other rubbish. I dumped out as much of the
stuff that would fall out and then I filled it with hot water and gave
it a good swishing around and most of the debris is gone now... there
are still little bits stuff on the side that are proving to rather
annoying to get off... I tried my carboy brush but it's rather
cumbersome since it bends and what not. Any suggetions as to what I
should try chemical wise to get this thing clean?

--
charles

"Once ... in the wilds of Afghanistan, I lost my corkscrew, and we were
forced to live on nothing but food and water for days."
- W.C. Fields

In article ,
Charles H wrote:

Hello all,

I recently became the lucky recipient of a free 54 litre demijohn,
though empty, I was still pleased.

A look inside dampened my spirits a bit, as there were 3 dead mice in
there along with a bunch of other rubbish. I dumped out as much of the
stuff that would fall out and then I filled it with hot water and gave
it a good swishing around and most of the debris is gone now... there
are still little bits stuff on the side that are proving to rather
annoying to get off... I tried my carboy brush but it's rather
cumbersome since it bends and what not. Any suggetions as to what I
should try chemical wise to get this thing clean?

Add some dirt!!! No, really -- add some course sand to your carboy along
with some hot soapy (and maybe a bit of bleach) water and just shake the
bejeezus out of it. The sand will provide some scouring action to help
loosen up the stuck on bits. The more you can swirl it around, the more
scouring it will get.

--
Greg Cook
http://homepage.mac.com/gregcook/Wine

(remove spamblocker from my email address)

Charles H wrote:
I recently became the lucky recipient of a free 54 litre demijohn,
though empty, I was still pleased.

A look inside dampened my spirits a bit, as there were 3 dead mice in
there along with a bunch of other rubbish. I dumped out as much of the
stuff that would fall out and then I filled it with hot water and gave
it a good swishing around and most of the debris is gone now... there
are still little bits stuff on the side that are proving to rather
annoying to get off... I tried my carboy brush but it's rather
cumbersome since it bends and what not. Any suggetions as to what I
should try chemical wise to get this thing clean?

"Greg Cook" wrote in message
...
Add some dirt!!! No, really -- add some course sand to your carboy along
with some hot soapy (and maybe a bit of bleach) water and just shake the
bejeezus out of it. The sand will provide some scouring action to help
loosen up the stuck on bits. The more you can swirl it around, the more
scouring it will get.

I have the same suggestion as Greg, with a slight modification. Fill it with
a soap/bleach/water solution, and let it soak over night (or longer). Empty
it, then add a handful of builder's sand (the sort that you add to cement to
make concrete), add just enough water to swish it around (the less water,
the more abrasive the sand), and swish it around until the deposits are
removed. Takes about 5-minutes for the heaviest deposits I've seen so far.

An even better abrasive is to screen those small rocks that one finds around
ant hills. They work great as scrubbers. I keep a small pot full around all
the time for the very purpose mentioned.

--
Regards,
Rex Franklin
"Negodki" wrote in message
...
Charles H wrote:
I recently became the lucky recipient of a free 54 litre demijohn,
though empty, I was still pleased.

A look inside dampened my spirits a bit, as there were 3 dead mice in
there along with a bunch of other rubbish. I dumped out as much of the
stuff that would fall out and then I filled it with hot water and gave
it a good swishing around and most of the debris is gone now... there
are still little bits stuff on the side that are proving to rather
annoying to get off... I tried my carboy brush but it's rather
cumbersome since it bends and what not. Any suggetions as to what I
should try chemical wise to get this thing clean?

"Greg Cook" wrote in message
...
Add some dirt!!! No, really -- add some course sand to your carboy along
with some hot soapy (and maybe a bit of bleach) water and just shake the
bejeezus out of it. The sand will provide some scouring action to help
loosen up the stuck on bits. The more you can swirl it around, the more
scouring it will get.

I have the same suggestion as Greg, with a slight modification. Fill it
with
a soap/bleach/water solution, and let it soak over night (or longer).
Empty
it, then add a handful of builder's sand (the sort that you add to cement
to
make concrete), add just enough water to swish it around (the less water,
the more abrasive the sand), and swish it around until the deposits are
removed. Takes about 5-minutes for the heaviest deposits I've seen so far.

"Rex Franklin" wrote:

An even better abrasive is to screen those small rocks that one finds
around
ant hills. They work great as scrubbers. I keep a small pot full around
all
the time for the very purpose mentioned.

You don't want something too abrasive, because glass can be scratched, or
its finish "dulled". Not saying the ant-hill rocks will do that, but just
cautioning anyone reading this thread that "more abrasive" is not
necessarily better. That's why I add water to the sand, instead of just
using a sandblaster.

I use an automaticdishwasher detergent with hot tap water for my beer
brewing carboys. About a 1/4 cup for 5-6 gallons. You will see the
crud dissolve before your eyes. Rinse thoroughly with very hot water!
Dennis

Negodki wrote:

Charles H wrote:


I recently became the lucky recipient of a free 54 litre demijohn,
though empty, I was still pleased.

A look inside dampened my spirits a bit, as there were 3 dead mice in
there along with a bunch of other rubbish. I dumped out as much of the
stuff that would fall out and then I filled it with hot water and gave
it a good swishing around and most of the debris is gone now... there
are still little bits stuff on the side that are proving to rather
annoying to get off... I tried my carboy brush but it's rather
cumbersome since it bends and what not. Any suggetions as to what I
should try chemical wise to get this thing clean?


"Greg Cook" wrote in message
...


Add some dirt!!! No, really -- add some course sand to your carboy along
with some hot soapy (and maybe a bit of bleach) water and just shake the
bejeezus out of it. The sand will provide some scouring action to help
loosen up the stuck on bits. The more you can swirl it around, the more
scouring it will get.



I have the same suggestion as Greg, with a slight modification. Fill it with
a soap/bleach/water solution, and let it soak over night (or longer). Empty
it, then add a handful of builder's sand (the sort that you add to cement to
make concrete), add just enough water to swish it around (the less water,
the more abrasive the sand), and swish it around until the deposits are
removed. Takes about 5-minutes for the heaviest deposits I've seen so far.

Charles H wrote in message ...
Hello all,

I recently became the lucky recipient of a free 54 litre demijohn,
though empty, I was still pleased.

A look inside dampened my spirits a bit, as there were 3 dead mice in
there along with a bunch of other rubbish. I dumped out as much of the
stuff that would fall out and then I filled it with hot water and gave
it a good swishing around and most of the debris is gone now... there
are still little bits stuff on the side that are proving to rather
annoying to get off... I tried my carboy brush but it's rather
cumbersome since it bends and what not. Any suggetions as to what I
should try chemical wise to get this thing clean?

Household soda and fairly hot water works a treat on all my dirty
demijohns. Rinse it well afterwards.

Oh! yes by all means use water with the ant hill gravel. I've used this
method to remove stain, mould, etc for several years and have never seen any
sign of abrasion damage.

--
Regards,
Rex Franklin
"Negodki" wrote in message
...
"Rex Franklin" wrote:

An even better abrasive is to screen those small rocks that one finds
around
ant hills. They work great as scrubbers. I keep a small pot full around
all
the time for the very purpose mentioned.

You don't want something too abrasive, because glass can be scratched, or
its finish "dulled". Not saying the ant-hill rocks will do that, but just
cautioning anyone reading this thread that "more abrasive" is not
necessarily better. That's why I add water to the sand, instead of just
using a sandblaster.

"Charles H" wrote in message
...
Hello all,

I recently became the lucky recipient of a free 54 litre demijohn,
though empty, I was still pleased.

A look inside dampened my spirits a bit, as there were 3 dead mice in
there along with a bunch of other rubbish. I dumped out as much of the
stuff that would fall out and then I filled it with hot water and gave
it a good swishing around and most of the debris is gone now... there
are still little bits stuff on the side that are proving to rather
annoying to get off... I tried my carboy brush but it's rather
cumbersome since it bends and what not. Any suggetions as to what I
should try chemical wise to get this thing clean?

A soaking with a _strong_ bleach solution might do the trick. Before that,
you might try sodium carbonate in hot water to loosen most of the crud, and
then scrubbing with your bottle brush to knock it loose from the walls.

In my chemistry class we used sulfuric/dichromate for tough cleaning
problems, but that's no longer an easy option. :^(

Tom S

I have two of such demijohns...
they're nice, and big, and thankfully, clean!!!
But...
I'm not sure what I"m going to make in them....
I can't imagine yet making that much wine at one time of the same kind,
unless I get tons of grapes, a crusher, etc......to process them all.
And being in Michigan, I don't have access to a lot of grapes except
possibly Concord...
But I got my demijohns really cheap inn Hamilton Ontario...
so for now, I still keep em.

The big challenge: how to rack the wine! have to use a pump, I think!

Rick

"Charles H" wrote in message
...
Hello all,

I recently became the lucky recipient of a free 54 litre demijohn,
though empty, I was still pleased.

A look inside dampened my spirits a bit, as there were 3 dead mice in
there along with a bunch of other rubbish. I dumped out as much of the
stuff that would fall out and then I filled it with hot water and gave
it a good swishing around and most of the debris is gone now... there
are still little bits stuff on the side that are proving to rather
annoying to get off... I tried my carboy brush but it's rather
cumbersome since it bends and what not. Any suggetions as to what I
should try chemical wise to get this thing clean?

--
charles

"Once ... in the wilds of Afghanistan, I lost my corkscrew, and we were
forced to live on nothing but food and water for days."
- W.C. Fields

"Rick Vanderwal" wrote:

I can't imagine yet making that much wine at one time of the same kind,
unless I get tons of grapes, a crusher, etc......to process them all.

54 litre = 14.27 gallons = about 200 pounds of grapes. You can destem and
crush them manually in a few hours. Or you could purchase already crushed
(and frozen) grapes from a number of sources, such as Peter Brehm Vineyards.

The big challenge: how to rack the wine! have to use a pump, I think!

A full 54-litre carboy will weigh about 135 pounds (assuming it's made of
glass). Two people should be able to lift that onto a table or workbench for
siphoning. If your are by yourself, you can siphon half the volume from
carboy to carboy with both carboys at the same level.Then you have half the
(liquid) weight to lift, and 70-80 pounds isn't to bad. You could also rig
up a winch, if you have a sturdy overhead rafter from which to suspend it.
A pump would be easier, and a lot faster, though.

"Rick Vanderwal" wrote in message
...
I have two of such demijohns...
they're nice, and big, and thankfully, clean!!!
But...
I'm not sure what I"m going to make in them....
I can't imagine yet making that much wine at one time of the same kind,
unless I get tons of grapes, a crusher, etc......to process them all.

"Tons of grapes"? They're only 14 gallons apiece. It would take only about
200 pounds of grapes to fill one of those with wine, with enough left over
for topping.

And being in Michigan, I don't have access to a lot of grapes except
possibly Concord...

I hear that they grow Chardonnay in Ohio. Also, you can buy frozen must and
juice from California. It _is_ a bit expen$ive though.

The big challenge: how to rack the wine! have to use a pump, I think!

You could rack those by siphon. You might need some help to set them on a
high bench a few months beforehand though. They probably weigh ~150 pounds
when full.

Tom S

On 10/21/03 9:07 PM, in article ,
"Rick Vanderwal" wrote:

And being in Michigan, I don't have access to a lot of grapes except
possibly Concord...


Rick

Rick, I don't know where you are in Michigan, but I do know there are
wonderful wine grapes being grown there. I think dozen or more wineries in
Lelenau peninsula produce some really terrific white wines. Also, southwest
michigan has many vineyards growing good grapes. I'll bet you can find some
source of grapes in MI better than concord for winemaking. Actually, as a
native Michigander, I envy you being so close to wonderful fruit. It's more
of a challenge here in North Dakota!! I do wish I was back home.


--
Greg Cook
http://homepage.mac.com/gregcook/Wine

(remove spamblocker from my email)

I know I'm 2 hours from Traverse City,
and about 2 hours from Fennville, and the grape growing region down south.
I once asked if they had spare grapes (2 years ago?) and they said: NONE!
But I haven't checked since.

hey, if you ever come and visit "back home" come look me up!
Fremont, MI

Rick Vanderwal

"Greg Cook" wrote in message
...
On 10/21/03 9:07 PM, in article
,
"Rick Vanderwal" wrote:

And being in Michigan, I don't have access to a lot of grapes except
possibly Concord...


Rick

Rick, I don't know where you are in Michigan, but I do know there are
wonderful wine grapes being grown there. I think dozen or more wineries in
Lelenau peninsula produce some really terrific white wines. Also,
southwest
michigan has many vineyards growing good grapes. I'll bet you can find
some
source of grapes in MI better than concord for winemaking. Actually, as a
native Michigander, I envy you being so close to wonderful fruit. It's
more
of a challenge here in North Dakota!! I do wish I was back home.


--
Greg Cook
http://homepage.mac.com/gregcook/Wine

(remove spamblocker from my email)

yeah, I guess I meant: "TONS" of grapes as a metaphor....
I just went through a manual destemming and processing of 5-6 gallons of
juice from concord grapes - took all day! But I don't have other equipment
except the hands God gave me, and a victorio strainer I'm borrowing from a
friend at church.

Someday.
Rick

"Tom S" wrote in message
m...

"Rick Vanderwal" wrote in message
...
I have two of such demijohns...
they're nice, and big, and thankfully, clean!!!
But...
I'm not sure what I"m going to make in them....
I can't imagine yet making that much wine at one time of the same kind,
unless I get tons of grapes, a crusher, etc......to process them all.

"Tons of grapes"? They're only 14 gallons apiece. It would take only
about
200 pounds of grapes to fill one of those with wine, with enough left over
for topping.

And being in Michigan, I don't have access to a lot of grapes except
possibly Concord...

I hear that they grow Chardonnay in Ohio. Also, you can buy frozen must
and
juice from California. It _is_ a bit expen$ive though.

The big challenge: how to rack the wine! have to use a pump, I think!

You could rack those by siphon. You might need some help to set them on a
high bench a few months beforehand though. They probably weigh ~150
pounds
when full.

Tom S