Homemade PBW Recipe

[goaticus]

So much for the assumption that all peroxygen based cleaners are equal. It's more likely a, you get what you pay for, situation.

This is an important finding, as it reduces the SUN peroxygen component to a much lower value with a definite impact on meeting the stated specifications. Based on the linked test results, Oxiclean may be a better option, although the report states that the now available "Versatile" product has a different formulation. I took a look at the seventh generation MSDS and it has very wide ranging percentages on its ingredients. Do you have a source for any more accurate values?

So, this sounds substantial. Does this mean that it would be better to have a higher ratio of the SunOxy in the recipe, or that it would be better to just spend the extra bucks on the Oxyclean Free and use it at the current formula ratio? Luckily, the OXY is the only ingredient I haven't purchased yet.

 

[WoodJRx]

It's worth noting, that even in the paper, it discusses the form of OxyClean they are using. Apparently the Oxy in the paper is NOT the oxy we have available in the USA for general sale. The version now available is significantly different (reduced) strength, it seems.

1. The OxiClean that was used in this experiment is known
as OxiClean Multi-Purpose Stain Remover (the original formula)
and is no longer sold in stores. The OxiClean Multi-Purpose Stain
Remover can still be purchased from the company's Web site, http:/
/www.OxiClean.com (accessed Feb 2005). In 2004 Orange Glo In-
ternational launched production of OxiClean known as OxiClean
Versatile Stain Remover that contains silicates, detergent, and a pro-
prietary polymer additives. The organic components char upon
heating releasing noxious smoke from the test tube. The original
formula should be used in this experiment.

Or at least, that's what I got out of that. I'm not sure, though. To be honest, I had pretty good results with just "OxyClean Free" I got at the store, and this combo seems to work even better (less scrubbing, etc).

EDIT for spelling.

 

[stamandster]

You can get Sodium Metasilicate from Landmark TSP, my local True Value had it.

 

[orangemen5]

Does this recipe rinse as well as PBW also? It's the only reason I use PBW over oxiclean. You have to rinse oxiclean a million times to clean.

 

[WoodJRx]

I have to rinse once or twice, usually. Probably because I use 1 scoop in a gallon or two swish, sponge, and rinse. More diluted, and I think a thorough rinse would be enough. Can't say for sure, though.

 

[HarryGrowth]

I'm going to try this. I've got some bad ass cleaning to do. Haven't brewed since my son was born. He's 17. Left carboys uncapped for that time. I'm scraping mice off the bottom of the carboys with a broom stick. We'll put this to the test. I soaked in Oxy yesterday and everything came off but I want to do it again. Carboys have a film on the inside I'm hoping Star San takes care of.

 

[goaticus]

I'm going to try this. I've got some bad ass cleaning to do. Haven't brewed since my son was born. He's 17. Left carboys uncapped for that time. I'm scraping mice off the bottom of the carboys with a broom stick. We'll put this to the test. I soaked in Oxy yesterday and everything came off but I want to do it again. Carboys have a film on the inside I'm hoping Star San takes care of.

WOW! That is an impressively disgusting test you have set up. I think I'd use lye for the first soak on that situation or maybe just find some used ones on craigslist and toss those. You're a brave man, though, and I respect that. Maybe just don't tell that story to anyone you share your brew with.

 

[fixitoscar]

I'm going to try this. I've got some bad ass cleaning to do. Haven't brewed since my son was born. He's 17. Left carboys uncapped for that time. I'm scraping mice off the bottom of the carboys with a broom stick. We'll put this to the test. I soaked in Oxy yesterday and everything came off but I want to do it again. Carboys have a film on the inside I'm hoping Star San takes care of.

Yuk! lol

Just remember starsan isn't a cleaner its a sanitizer. If there is a film you still need to clean it.

 

[nickmv]

I've made some homemade PBW, and it was super simple to put together.

My local grocery store has its own version of Oxiclean Free (identical recipe -- no perfumes or chlorine), so I grabbed that and a 4lb bag of TSP/90.

Easy mixture of 3.5lbs Oxi-free to 1.5lbs TSP/90, mixed together thoroughly. I use it all the time, no issues whatsoever.

 

[DurtyChemist]

Just went to Walmart and Lowes and picked all of this up. Bought a different brand of dish soap but my total cost was under $20. Purchased a 2 gallon bucket at Lowes with a lid as a container so I can add everything, cap and roll to mix.

 

[02fx4dude]

I picked up ingredients for this mixture yesterday. The TSP/90 was easy to find, however I don't go to walmart, so I found oxyclean free at Target, on sale 3.99/3lb. Also at Target I only found a 75oz box of the 7th Gen Dish detergent, not 100% sure it's the same product the OP has specified.

Got all the ingredients mixed up and cleaned a bunch of empty bottles I had laying around, using my usual soak and rinse methods. Initial impressions are good, I didn't do anything different in my procedures and the bottles dried without a white/chalky residue. My experiences using oxiclean alone resulted in residue that dried on and was difficult to remove, due to the hard tap water.

One thing I noticed different from PBW was foam/suds. Not a lot, but some. PBW didn't do that.

So at this point I give it one thumb up, the other thumb to be decided after I do some real cleaning(I expect to have some empty kegs by next week).

Thanks Trevster for posting this, great info, I've been looking for an alternative to PBW since prices went up 25% earlier this year.

 

[orangemen5]

I picked up ingredients for this mixture yesterday. The TSP/90 was easy to find, however I don't go to walmart, so I found oxyclean free at Target, on sale 3.99/3lb. Also at Target I only found a 75oz box of the 7th Gen Dish detergent, not 100% sure it's the same product the OP has specified.



Got all the ingredients mixed up and cleaned a bunch of empty bottles I had laying around, using my usual soak and rinse methods. Initial impressions are good, I didn't do anything different in my procedures and the bottles dried without a white/chalky residue. My experiences using oxiclean alone resulted in residue that dried on and was difficult to remove, due to the hard tap water.



One thing I noticed different from PBW was foam/suds. Not a lot, but some. PBW didn't do that.



So at this point I give it one thumb up, the other thumb to be decided after I do some real cleaning(I expect to have some empty kegs by next week).



Thanks Trevster for posting this, great info, I've been looking for an alternative to PBW since prices went up 25% earlier this year.

The constant rinsing you have to do with oxiclean is the biggest reason I use PBW. I hate rinsing things a million times. Glad to hear it rinses easier when it's mixed with the other ingredients. I'll probably give this a try.

 

[HarryGrowth]

I'm going to try this. I've got some bad ass cleaning to do. Haven't brewed since my son was born. He's 17. Left carboys uncapped for that time. I'm scraping mice off the bottom of the carboys with a broom stick. We'll put this to the test. I soaked in Oxy yesterday and everything came off but I want to do it again. Carboys have a film on the inside I'm hoping Star San takes care of.

I think it works pretty good! Of course you have to brew something ala Ed Wort's Haus Pale Ale to give a proper test. I think I soaked 3 times.

 

[HarryGrowth]

Holy Schmidt those pix are big.

 

[orangehero]

So the mouse proteins contribute to lacing? You might be on to something here.

 

[HarryGrowth]

Or on something!

 

[JonGrafto]

Does anyone know a good substitute for TSP/90?
I have been to 5 different stores and none of them carry the Red Devil brand....

Help!

 

[mcotter]

Does anyone know a good substitute for TSP/90?
I have been to 5 different stores and none of them carry the Red Devil brand....

Help!

Curious about this as well. I can find Savogran brand TSP at HD/Lowes but haven't been able to figure out if it's the exact same stuff. Red Devil advertises that it's phosphate free (still not sure Tri-Sodium Phosphate can be phosphate free haha but that's another discussion) while this brand does not.

 

[botigol]

I got my bag of Red Devil TSP/90 at Ace Hardware. HD and Lowe's had liquid versions from other brands, which may have worked, but I passed on those.

 

[thefost]

Curious about this as well. I can find Savogran brand TSP at HD/Lowes but haven't been able to figure out if it's the exact same stuff. Red Devil advertises that it's phosphate free (still not sure Tri-Sodium Phosphate can be phosphate free haha but that's another discussion) while this brand does not.

That is NOT the same stuff.

TSP is trisodium phosphate
The Red Devil TSP/90 is sodium metasilicate, which is much more environmentally friendly and is what is in PBW

So totally different stuff. Although I am curious how effective real tsp would be.

 

[JonGrafto]

I tried Ace, Menards, Walmart, Target and even Sherwin Williams (it is a wall-wash prep for painting).

I ended up ordering online from BTU Supply... Cheapest when you add shipping.

http://www.btusupply.com/p-59025-45lb-tsp-sub-cleaner.aspx

 

[helibrewer]

That is NOT the same stuff.

TSP is trisodium phosphate
The Red Devil TSP/90 is sodium metasilicate, which is much more environmentally friendly and is what is in PBW

So totally different stuff. Although I am curious how effective real tsp would be.

I use real TSP in my mixture...works great.

 

[b-boy]

I order Red Devil TSP/90 online from Amazon,com or Ace.com. I can't find it locally either.

 

[Stealthcruiser]

I use real TSP in my mixture...works great.

Give it up!

Where do you find "real" Tri Sodium Phosphate ?

 

[helibrewer]

Give it up!

Where do you find "real" Tri Sodium Phosphate ?

70% OxiClean, 30% TSP. The HD here in Cali sells the regular TSP....which really surprised me.

 

[Stealthcruiser]

That's all that it mentions on the package, as far as "ingredients", is T S P ?

If it's "straight up" Tri Sodium Phosphate, it is amazing, 'specially in California, for anything resembling a real "phosphate", has been removed from laundry detergents, ( re: "Tide"), and from fertilizers due to the runoff of said products.

Amazing, if that's what it is!

 

[mcotter]

That is NOT the same stuff.

TSP is trisodium phosphate
The Red Devil TSP/90 is sodium metasilicate, which is much more environmentally friendly and is what is in PBW

So totally different stuff. Although I am curious how effective real tsp would be.

Good to know. Thanks!

 

[rbrandon87]

I am officially a believer in this magic recipe, thank you so much for making this happen! I love PBW, but hate the price. I just made up this exact mixture and it works at least as good as PBW! So far I have cleaned a keg, carboy and 4 glasses with it and everything came out great!

96oz Sun Oxygen Cleaner + 45oz Seventh Gen Dish Detergent + 4lb Red Devil TSP/90 = $2.00/lb awesomeness!

 

[jtratcliff]

Anybody have an alternate cheap source for Sun Oxygen cleaner? Wally World near me doesn't seem to carry it anymore and it's not available to order on-line from them either... Might have to buy some pure Sodium Percarbonate in bulk and mix up my own with Arm & Hammer Washing soda (Sodium Carbonate)...

LA’s Totally Awesome® Power Oxygen Base Cleaner is $1/lb at dollar tree but it seems to have other crap in it and I can't find any info on what the Percarbonate percentage is anyway. Got some for the laundry but won't use for cleaning my gear...

 

[vincentAlpha]

I just use Oxyclean, don't think it is non-rinse or anything but cleans like a champ, everything looks damn good after a rinse or two. Changed how I clean my gear to be honest. Could probably get away with using the store brand, they have sodium percarbonate listed in the chem info.