17 replies to this topic

[Jdtirado]

I was reading this thread the other day and was wondering if anyone here had some experience with this. Also how long will this last and what are some of the disadvantages compared to PBW?I've personally been making my own PBW with Sun oxygen cleaner from walmart, along with TSP/90 from ace. *note* do not use regular TSP.Recipe:12.8oz TSP/90 to 1 container Sun Oxygen Cleaner.Works great, and I save a TON of cash. It does however, require a bit more rinsing.

[beach]

I was reading this thread the other day and was wondering if anyone here had some experience with this. Also how long will this last and what are some of the disadvantages compared to PBW?I've personally been making my own PBW with Sun oxygen cleaner from walmart, along with TSP/90 from ace. *note* do not use regular TSP.Recipe:12.8oz TSP/90 to 1 container Sun Oxygen Cleaner.Works great, and I save a TON of cash. It does however, require a bit more rinsing.

I use home made PBW but I add sodium carbonate to help soften my water. I have very high bicarb's and the sodium carbonate helps to eliminate the white haziness that many poeple experience, re:excessive rising needed. I typically mix at 2:1:1 (Sun oxy:sodium carbonate:tsp/90). IMO it works very well. I'll toss in a little extra tsp/90 if I have some really dried on stuff. I also keep a little pbw around for cleaning my O2 & carb stones. That being said, PBW is the shit. I keep thinking I'm going to order a big tub on a lhbc bulk buy but just haven't done it. I guessing that if I bought it in bulk I could get the cost down to about what I spend for the home made stuff.Beach

[Mya]

I found some real PBW online cheap, and I have to say in side my side comparison the real stuff does a better job than my homemade substitute.The PBW really does a number on the caked on residue at the top of a carboy, and it rinses away more easily as well.The homemade mix never dissolved as well or as quickly and often i'd have to break out the carboy brush too be sure to get all the scmutz, but the PBW seem to just tear it up.Zymot, this is me admitting, you were right.

[denny]

While it might be a great cleaner (I guess), it's NOT a "clone" of PBW. I've tried a lot of cleaners and at this point nothing works as well as PBW.

[djinkc]

I found some real PBW online cheap, and I have to say in side my side comparison the real stuff does a better job than my homemade substitute.The PBW really does a number on the caked on residue at the top of a carboy, and it rinses away more easily as well.The homemade mix never dissolved as well or as quickly and often i'd have to break out the carboy brush too be sure to get all the scmutz, but the PBW seem to just tear it up.Zymot, this is me admitting, you were right.

I bought a 50# bucket of PBW in our last club buy. About $2.75/lb delivered.

[Jdtirado]

Well if anyone knows where I can get into a bulk buy of PBW let me know

[gnef]

I had split a 50# bulk purchase over 5 years ago, and only used it sparingly when I really needed a good cleaner, typically just using oxiclean for most uses. Now that I built my dual stage counterflow, I expect to be using a lot more pbw every year, so I may need to convince others in my brew club to share the cost of a 50# pale.I used it in my kettle to recirculate the cleaning cycle of pbw, and it was pretty magical in how well it cleaned up the caked on beerstone in the short time I had it recirculating.JD - I haven't found an affordable retailer yet that compares to the bulk pricing. Most of the places I've looked are at around double the cost of what you can get in bulk.

[Mya]

I had split a 50# bulk purchase over 5 years ago, and only used it sparingly when I really needed a good cleaner, typically just using oxiclean for most uses. Now that I built my dual stage counterflow, I expect to be using a lot more pbw every year, so I may need to convince others in my brew club to share the cost of a 50# pale.I used it in my kettle to recirculate the cleaning cycle of pbw, and it was pretty magical in how well it cleaned up the caked on beerstone in the short time I had it recirculating.JD - I haven't found an affordable retailer yet that compares to the bulk pricing. Most of the places I've looked are at around double the cost of what you can get in bulk.

I got lucky and got a 4# er for $15 shipped last month in an Ebay dutch auction, turns out they listed the price wrong and didn't notice until half of them were shipped

[zymot]

I found some real PBW online cheap, and I have to say in side my side comparison the real stuff does a better job than my homemade substitute.The PBW really does a number on the caked on residue at the top of a carboy, and it rinses away more easily as well.The homemade mix never dissolved as well or as quickly and often i'd have to break out the carboy brush too be sure to get all the scmutz, but the PBW seem to just tear it up.Zymot, this is me admitting, you were right.

Wow, a convert!

While it might be a great cleaner (I guess), it's NOT a "clone" of PBW. I've tried a lot of cleaners and at this point nothing works as well as PBW.

PBW always does what I expect, sometimes even more, it has never let me down. The results and reliability always proved to be worth any added expense.I found 5 Star's recommended dosage was excessive, a little goes a long way. Hint: To stretch your PBW inventory, use warm to hot water, it makes PBW more effective.

[Mya]

Wow, a convert!PBW always does what I expect, sometimes even more, it has never let me down. The results and reliability always proved to be worth any added expense.I found 5 Star's recommended dosage was excessive, a little goes a long way. Hint: To stretch your PBW inventory, use warm to hot water, it makes PBW more effective.

for a carboy so far i have found 1 scoop @1/2 oz and hottish water left overnight kicks serious ass

[Mindblock]

+1 on hot water plus real PBW.....cleanup is painless.....

[denny]

I found 5 Star's recommended dosage was excessive, a little goes a long way. Hint: To stretch your PBW inventory, use warm to hot water, it makes PBW more effective.

Yeah, I use only 1-2 Tbsp. per 5 gal. Always hot water, except in the rare instance I'm cleaning a carboy. Never any thing over barely warm water for that. A 2-3 hour soak takes everything right off.

Edited by denny, 23 July 2012 - 09:09 AM.

[Jdtirado]

So should I consider the copy kat, PBW or just stick to Oxyclean. I often soak my carboys for 24 hrs or so.When would PBW have an advantage over Oxyclean? Cleaning the brew kettle after brewing (circulating with hot PBW)?

[denny]

I use both PBW and Oxiclean. In general, I always use PBW for critical stuff like fermenters and post fermentation tubing. Kegs get either Oxi or PBW. For general purpose cleaning (like the every 5 year cleaning of the mash tun) I use Oxi. I usually just rinse out my kettle, but when I do scrub it I use Barkeeper's Friend. In general, anything SS gets BKF.

[zymot]

So should I consider the copy kat, PBW or just stick to Oxyclean. I often soak my carboys for 24 hrs or so.When would PBW have an advantage over Oxyclean? Cleaning the brew kettle after brewing (circulating with hot PBW)?

I am a right tool for the job kind of guy. PBW is made specifically for cleaning your brewery equipment. Oxyclean is made to get skid marks off your underwear. Every time I have used PBW, it has given me the results I am looking for. Clean equipment, little to no elbow grease, rinses easily, no residue.Oxyclean and the substitute have presented me with problems. eg multiple applications required or residue that had to scrubbed off.As far as I can see, the only reason to use Oxyclean or Oxyclean + TSP is in the name of saving a buck or two. I have had problems with using both these products, I wasted more time than money I saved.I brew for fun and enjoyment and certainly not to save money. IMO The additional (potential) hassle and anxiety that comes with cutting this corner is not worth it. PBW is the best stuff I know of.

[Jdtirado]

I am a right tool for the job kind of guy. PBW is made specifically for cleaning your brewery equipment. Oxyclean is made to get skid marks off your underwear.

I love this response. I better not get skid marks on my kettle cause that would be shitty.

[Kremer]

I use the homamde mix, it works great. I'm sure the real stuff would work even better, with its chelators and surfactants.

[zymot]

I love this response. I better not get skid marks on my kettle cause that would be shitty.

Some times I drag a little PH sensibilities (or lack of sensibilities?) over to the beer forum.