I racked my elderberry wine last week and ended up with a real sticky
amber colored film in my carboy. Bleach wouldn't clean it very
easily. It was also on my wine thief after I got some out to check
SG. Anyone know what that could be? And perhaps an easy way to clean
it?

Thanx

In article ,
(Roger Fuller) wrote:

I racked my elderberry wine last week and ended up with a real sticky
amber colored film in my carboy. Bleach wouldn't clean it very
easily. It was also on my wine thief after I got some out to check
SG. Anyone know what that could be? And perhaps an easy way to clean
it?

Thanx

Yes, the infamous elderberry goo - - - you need one of those oil-cutting
products, like goo-gone. There's another one on the market, but the name
is escaping me right now.

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

(remove spamblocker from my email address)

"Roger Fuller" wrote:
I racked my elderberry wine last week and ended up with a real sticky
amber colored film in my carboy. Bleach wouldn't clean it very
easily. It was also on my wine thief after I got some out to check
SG. Anyone know what that could be? And perhaps an easy way to clean
it?

Probably some form of tannin deposit, possibly resin. If soaking in bleach
overnight doesn't do anything, try some form of acid (e.g. citric acid or
vinegar). If that doesn't help, put a handful of builders sand (the kind
used with cement to make concrete) in the carboy, add just enough water to
be able to swish it around, and do so. The sand acts like scouring powder,
without scratching the glass. Sal soda (washing soda) is also supposed to be
very good, but I've never tried it.

"Greg Cook" wrote:

Yes, the infamous elderberry goo - - - you need one of those oil-cutting
products, like goo-gone. There's another one on the market, but the name
is escaping me right now.

If an "oil-cutting" product will work, WD-40 will work, as will mineral
spirits. Ammonia may also work. In each case, the carboy must be washed out
thoroughly with hot soapy water, and rinsed at least three times after
using, since these substances are toxic.

De-Solve-It,
available at Walmart, for one....
I haven't seen it, or looked for it at any other place.

It cut right through the elderberry goo when I made my batch,
both on my utensils, strainer, primary, and carboy.

Rick




"Greg Cook" wrote in message
...
In article ,
(Roger Fuller) wrote:

I racked my elderberry wine last week and ended up with a real sticky
amber colored film in my carboy. Bleach wouldn't clean it very
easily. It was also on my wine thief after I got some out to check
SG. Anyone know what that could be? And perhaps an easy way to clean
it?

Thanx

Yes, the infamous elderberry goo - - - you need one of those oil-cutting
products, like goo-gone. There's another one on the market, but the name
is escaping me right now.

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

(remove spamblocker from my email address)

my elderberry "goo" was extremely visible this year. very heavy deposits on
everything it touched. last year i had to use the "desolv-it"(sp?), but this
year i ran hot water into the carboy and it disapeared. any explanations???
different strains of berries? very surprising! jim book
"Greg Cook" wrote in message
...
In article ,
(Roger Fuller) wrote:

I racked my elderberry wine last week and ended up with a real sticky
amber colored film in my carboy. Bleach wouldn't clean it very
easily. It was also on my wine thief after I got some out to check
SG. Anyone know what that could be? And perhaps an easy way to clean
it?

Thanx

Yes, the infamous elderberry goo - - - you need one of those oil-cutting
products, like goo-gone. There's another one on the market, but the name
is escaping me right now.

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

(remove spamblocker from my email address)