25 replies to this topic

[Humperdink]

I'm really going to make a better effort to have a cleaning schedule. I recently broke apart my ball vales on the MLT and BK. I was really surprised at what hangs on even after you clean post brew. I keep my kettle clean, my mash tun too, but I thought running a quick brush through the ball valve after brew day was enough. Not so much. Do yourselves a favor if you haven't done it in a while and break those ball valves down and give them a good scrubbing and soak in PBW or the like.

Edited by cose, 24 April 2012 - 01:43 PM.

[SchwanzBrewer]

Yep. I do that at least once a year so far. Hot PBW works great. One of these days I am gonna get my pump working again and I'm gonna do a full system hot pbw run. Right now I have 12 carboys to clean though. They are soaking in PBW.

[Jdtirado]

Right now I have 12 carboys to clean though. They are soaking in PBW.

Holy moley...12 carboys!!!!

[Humperdink]

I do this more frequently than a year and I had some build up for sure. I think I did it a few months ago. I think it could be the hour long rest at pitch temp post whirlpool chill that increases the crud buildup. maybe not though. regardless, it needs to be monthly for me at least. I like shiny metal.

[BlKtRe]

Got my keg cleaner running as we speak. Need to catch up on ball locks. I need to clean 15 or so plus a few 1/2bll's.

[SchwanzBrewer]

Got my keg cleaner running as we speak. Need to catch up on ball locks. I need to clean 15 or so plus a few 1/2bll's.

That's the other thing. I have about 100 bottles and 5 kegs to clean. Only thing I dislike about brewing. Fun thing is creating ways to make that part of the task easier like keg cleaners.Cheers,Rich

[MtnBrewer]

That's the other thing. I have about 100 bottles and 5 kegs to clean. Only thing I dislike about brewing.

Troof. I remember right after I started brewing, I read in a homebrewing book (Complete Handbook of Home Brewing, I think it was) that when the author tells somebody that he's been brewing, what he really means is that he's been cleaning.

[BlKtRe]

Cleaning sux! But its a must do. Anything to make my life easier Im game. My keg cleaner can do different types of kegs, carboys, fermenters, bottles, jugs whatever. All I do is fill it up, add PBW, turn on the heat, and throw the switch for the pump. Anything that needs soaking goes into the PBW bath while Im cleaning kegs or whatever. Best piece of equipment I built in years.

[djinkc]

Cleaning sux! But its a must do. Anything to make my life easier Im game. My keg cleaner can do different types of kegs, carboys, fermenters, bottles, jugs whatever. All I do is fill it up, add PBW, turn on the heat, and throw the switch for the pump. Anything that needs soaking goes into the PBW bath while Im cleaning kegs or whatever. Best piece of equipment I built in years.

Sorry I waited so long to build one...........

[Genesee Ted]

Pretty sure you posted it before, but it would be good to look over again if you don't mind reposting the design. I just did an Oxyclean once over that yielded a disgusting amount of hidden crud and some very clean equipment.

[Mya]

Holy moley...12 carboys!!!!

I am a slacker I only have 7, and 2 12 gallon wine buckets

[zymot]

I was just thinking today about the magic and wonderful product known as PBW.On the board of green, there were many OMG! PBW costs 6 times more than Oxyclean. I use that instead of PBW." Oxyclean is OK, but I have had problems with using it. When you look at the per dose cost difference, Oxyclean might cost 10 cents and PBW is 60 cents per use. But we are talking spending 50 cents more. Anything that makes my brew day go easier is easier is worth 50 an extra cents.

[Humperdink]

Or just buy the 4# tub. Big cost difference from by the pound.

[Mya]

I can make 11lbs of PBW facsimile for $13 including tax, that's $1.18 per lb roughlyI'll take that one

[zymot]

I can make 11lbs of PBW facsimile for $13 including tax, that's $1.18 per lb roughlyI'll take that one

What is PBW facsimile?

[Genesee Ted]

What is PBW facsimile?

Oxyclean and TSP

[Mya]

PBW facsimile = Generic Oxygen Cleaner+Red Devil TSP90 Sodium Metasilicate Cleaner+ little bit of powdered detergent.

[zymot]

Oxyclean and TSP

PBW facsimile = Generic Oxygen Cleaner+Red Devil TSP90 Sodium Metasilicate Cleaner+ little bit of powdered detergent.

For me, not worth the effort. I know many swear by Oxyclean and never had any issues.I have been burned by oxyclean a couple times, so I tend to stay away from using it. PBW works too well and is too reliable the savings are not enough to entice me.Then again, I like to be a "right tool for the right job" kind of guy. PBW in the brewery, Oxyclean in the laundry.

[beach]

PBW facsimile = Generic Oxygen Cleaner+Red Devil TSP90 Sodium Metasilicate Cleaner+ sodium carbonate.

^ my recipe ^Beach

[Mya]

For me, not worth the effort. I know many swear by Oxyclean and never had any issues.I have been burned by oxyclean a couple times, so I tend to stay away from using it. PBW works too well and is too reliable the savings are not enough to entice me.Then again, I like to be a "right tool for the right job" kind of guy. PBW in the brewery, Oxyclean in the laundry.

the facsimile has the same ingredients as the PBW @ 1/3 the cost