Eliminating smell of bear canister

[AK Granola]

I purchased a Bearikade Expedition this summer and have only backpacked with it once so far. When I first received it I noticed it had a really awful, chemical smell to it. I cleaned it thoroughly, but the smell is still there. I double bagged all our food for that trip to make sure nothing would catch that odor, and put a packet with baking soda at the bottom to try to absorb odors. Our food was ok, but The can still has that smell. I haven't contacted the maker yet, but thought I'd try all of you first. Anyone out there have this problem and found a solution? Maybe the plastic just smells like that; if so, I'll always have to double bag everything. Reading about people dumping rice or lentils right into the bear can – yuck. Not in this one.

[Billy Ray]

I don't think there is any plastic used in a bearikade…just aluminum, carbon fiber, and glue. It's probably the glue. If so, it will off-gas over time and the smell will get less and less. You should call the maker though. He's a nice guy and will answer your questions. I am very sensitive to smells and do not recall my bearikade smelling that bad… maybe they changed the glue… or maybe mine sat on the shelf longer than yours before it was shipped. billy

[Kenneth Keating]

Mine has never smelled. I'd recommend rinsing it out with a Listerine solution and then leaving is out in the sun for the few days, with the sun hitting the inside as much as possible. If that doesn't work then contact the Bearakade and ask for a replacement.

[David Thomas]

I'd try hot water and dishwashing detergent. Don't use your bare hands and DON'T splash it in your eyes (because it is caustic/basic), but it removes most food and food odors and many chemical ones as well. If that (off-the-shelf, very cheap) alkaline option doesn't do enough, I'd then try a gallon of white vinegar, followed by a two water rinses. I once had a set of cheap car floor mats from Amzaon.com that stunk with a chemical/petroleum smell despite many weeks of airing them out. But for 95% of smelly things, the dishwashing detergent does it for me. And vinegar deals with the rest.

[Nick Smolinske]

One option is to spray the inside with pam (or rub with fat or oil), then let it sit for a couple days for the fat to absorb odors, then wash it out with soap and water. Not sure how it would work for plastic odors but it does wonders for every other smell I've tried it on.

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