Cleaning agent

[rydia131]

Ive heard dont use a cleaner that suds as it will ruin the head on your beer. So simply, what do you guys use for cleaning of equipment? Thanks!!

 

[Yooper]

Oxyclean Free (the no fragrance kind) or the generic version of unscented oxyclean. That's it.

 

[Arg1129]

I second the OxyClean free it works just as good as PBW. Just rinse well and you won't have any residue cleaner to ruin any head retention.

 

[rydia131]

I only saw one kind of oxyclean at the store...did i not look hard enough? Dammit i think i might have gotten the scented kind.......

 

[jak1010]

I've used a gallon of water and an ounce or two of unscented bleach for equipment.

For bottling my last few batches of beer and wine, I just rinsed the bottles with water and then took a few shots of ever clear, coated the bottle with it. Did a case of beer and 8 wine bottles with about 3 shots. Wasn't sure how it would work but, no problems so far. Considering it's 190 proof, it got the job done.

 

[KeystoneHomebrew]

B-brite, PBW, One-Step, all work very well. I don't have any experience with Oxy-Free, but have heard many many positive things about it.

 

[Tippsy-Turvy]

I'd vouch for PBW without hesitation. Before, no matter what I did the fermenter would still have a bad smell after cleaning. Even cleaning with anitseptic soap and soaking overnight with sanitizer didn't kill it. PBW doesn't sud up and my equipment are absolutely immaculate.

 

[BoomerRox]

+1 on the Oxy. Started using it again when I re-started my brewing addiction. Fortunately SWMBO hasn't noticed it missing from the laundry room.

 

[rydia131]

So accidentally bought the oxy that isnt "free". Can i still use this? What problems could i have?

 

[Yooper]

So accidentally bought the oxy that isnt "free". Can i still use this? What problems could i have?

If it's "smelly", then you don't want to use it as it will make your beer taste and smell the way that cleaner smells.

I found a generic version of the "free" stuff at Dollar General. I use the "smelly" stuff for laundry.

 

[rydia131]

If it's "smelly", then you don't want to use it as it will make your beer taste and smell the way that cleaner smells.

I found a generic version of the "free" stuff at Dollar General. I use the "smelly" stuff for laundry.

Yehhhh ****. I saw somebody mention a target brand which im sure will save a couple bucks

 

[unionrdr]

I prefer to use the right tool for the job. I value my hide more than saving a couple bucks. No offense intended. I use PBW exclusively for any cleaning of equipment or bottles. Starsan for sanitizing. With the right strength of PBW,you can clean just about anything.

 

[rydia131]

I prefer to use the right tool for the job. I value my hide more than saving a couple bucks. No offense intended. I use PBW exclusively for any cleaning of equipment or bottles. Starsan for sanitizing. With the right strength of PBW,you can clean just about anything.

No offense taken. I appreciate honesty. This thread is actually the first time that ive heard about PBW. Ill have to look into it more. Im just trying to learn everything i can starting from the bottom and i want to properly clean Nd sanitize before progressing

 

[rydia131]

Unionrdr...i looked up pbw on midwest. In your experience with it approx how long will it last for? I was thinking about starting with the 1lb size.

 

[unionrdr]

1lb size usually lasts me a couple months. The measures given on the jar are by weight,so I use a small digital scale I got from walmart for $20. It's great for weighing hops,grains,priming sugar & all that too. So it def is a worth while investment.

 

[wiggybrewer]

I by the four pound size of PBW, It's a better value. My 2 cents.

 

[unionrdr]

Yeah,I was thinking of going to a larger size as well. I use a lot of it with two fermenters,bottling bucket,brew kettles,etc.

 

[IslandLizard]

I use mostly "washing soda" (sodium carbonate, also called soda ash). It is a good cleaner and a main ingredient in both PBW and "oxy clean". Cheap and cheerful, 4 lb. boxes in your supermarket or (good) hardware store.

If I need more power, I add some (generic) oxy free to it.

I use PBW (or my homemade substitute) for cleaning the most stubborn areas and where a brush can't get to, like my pump and plate chiller.

Cleansers work better in hot water than cold.

 

[wailingguitar]

PBW and bleach (not together, of course!) and iodophor to sanitize are my choices for home use.

 

[IslandLizard]

Here's my homemade substitute for PBW (sourced from various web resources):

Using generic Oxy Free which contains about 50% of the oxygen-active ingredient (sodium percarbonate) and 50% sodium carbonate (washing soda):

70% generic "Oxy Free"
30% "TSP" (Sodium metasilicate)


If your Oxy free is particularly strong, containing mostly (70% or more) of the oxygen-active ingredient sodium percarbonate, with the remainder of sodium carbonate (washing soda):

50% real "Oxy Free"
20% washing soda (sodium carbonate)
30% "TSP" (Sodium metasilicate)


Notes on "TSP":
Original TSP (TriSodium Phosphate) is not easily available anymore (phosphate ban). What is now sold under the name "TSP" is Sodium metasilicate, a good sequestering (dirt binding) agent, but chemically has nothing in common with the old TSP; they are entirely different products.

It is available in your (better) hardware stores in 1 pound tubs or 4 pound pouches. I get mine at Ace.

The only drawback of this "TSP" is it tends to leave a haze on glass if exposed to it too long. I'm not sure if long exposure to PBW causes the same haze, nor have I seen the haze in my homemade version either, but I haven't tested specifically for it.

A long soak with StarSan removes that haze. Since Starsan is acidic (it contains phosphoric acid) I think any plain diluted acid will do the same, e.g., Phosphoric acid, HCl (Muriatic acid).

 

[unionrdr]

I've never noticed PBW to leave a haze on anything. I rinse it well,then sanitize with Starsan afterwords. The dry & store till brewday/bottling day When it's sanitized again.

 

[matt08wrx]

I use PBW and Oxi free to clean my kegs. I have never had issues with either. To sanitize I use star san. A bottle goes a long way.

 

[IslandLizard]

+1 on the Starsan. Amazing product, very little is needed and it lasts for ages.

 

[rydia131]

Thanks for all the info. I just picked up my starsan. I think i may just order the PBW. I couldnt find oxy free in the store and pbw sounds like an equally good choice

 

[unionrdr]

PBW stands for Powdered Brewery Wash. It's made for cleaning brewing stuff. Good directions on the jar as well.

 

[rydia131]

Well since i have all of you knowledgable people giving me advice...what tools do you guys use for cleaning? I assume carboy brush for carboys? But past that...non-abrasive sponges?

 

[unionrdr]

I use a brush very lightly on my plastic fermenters after soaking 5-7 days with PBW & water. Or a Dobie brand scrubber,as it's a fine textured yellow sponge with nylon webbing on the outside. Just rub lightly to clean the loosened gunk off that hasn't fallen off already. I've even used a wash cloth to rub the loosened gunk of.

 

[rydia131]

So its more about soaking than anything huh?

 

[unionrdr]

With fermenters,yeah. It's better to soak'em clean & need only a light scrub than to scrub like mad. No scratching that way. Small stuff cleans up quick with a little lite scrubbing & a rinse.

 

[wailingguitar]

With fermenters,yeah. It's better to soak'em clean & need only a light scrub than to scrub like mad. No scratching that way. Small stuff cleans up quick with a little lite scrubbing & a rinse.

Definitely agree... I use a shower wand to pre rinse the ferms, then fill with bleach or pbw and use a soft cloth to wipe where it may be needed, then an overnight soak.