Elderberry wine

[REDBOATNY]

Just racked my first batch of elderberry to secondary.
Any tips on removing the green goo from my 20 gal fermenter and my fruit bags?
That stuff is like glue!
thanks

 

[cmason1957]

Oddly enough vegetable oil is what I found to be the best to remove it. Followed by copious cleaning with oxyclean free type chemicals.

 

[Raptor99]

Yes, vegetable oil works. The green goo is a waxy substance impervious to soap. The oil bonds to the wax, and then the soap can bond to the oil and wash it away along with the wax. I just wash it off with Dawn dishwashing soap, followed by thorough rinsing.

I have a fruit bag that is set aside exclusively for Elderberry. I cleaned it the best I can, but it isn't perfectly clean. One of my 5 gallon fermenting buckets was so bad that I just retired it to the garden. They don't cost very much. But my carboys and other glass equipment cleaned up very well. I planted three Elderberry bushes, so hopefully in another year or two I 'll have a good harvest.

 

[REDBOATNY]

Yes, vegetable oil works. The green goo is a waxy substance impervious to soap. The oil bonds to the wax, and then the soap can bond to the oil and wash it away along with the wax. I just wash it off with Dawn dishwashing soap, followed by thorough rinsing.

I have a fruit bag that is set aside exclusively for Elderberry. I cleaned it the best I can, but it isn't perfectly clean. One of my 5 gallon fermenting buckets was so bad that I just retired it to the garden. They don't cost very much. But my carboys and other glass equipment cleaned up very well. I planted three Elderberry bushes, so hopefully in another year or two I 'll have a good harvest.

I did think about veg. Oil. I have heard it also removes pot residue from your fingers.
I will try some cooking spray tomorrow.
Thanks!

 

[Raptor99]

I did think about veg. Oil. I have heard it also removes pot residue from your fingers.
I will try some cooking spray tomorrow.
Thanks!

It also works on pine sap on your hands!