Homemade PBW Recipe

[andrewmaixner]

Not sure if this has ben mentioned before in the thread, but, bulk PBW can be had for $2.70/lb (+shipping) for a 50lb bucket, through a local microbrewery's distributor. Still costs more, and a little less convenient to get, but at that price I don't mind so much.
Splitting it with some guys from your club, or have enough for life!

 

[dleonard5]

+1 on amazon. Get the powdered unscented dishwasher detergent.

 

[user 204491]

Currently at about $2.27/lb for the homemade version, including shipping.

OXO Brite from Costco
7th Generation from Amazon
TSP/90 from Ace (local pickup)

 

[azscoob]

Gathering ingredients to make a batch today, thanks OP for page 2 recipe!

 

[BrunDog]

Not sure if this has ben mentioned before in the thread, but, bulk PBW can be had for $2.70/lb (+shipping) for a 50lb bucket, through a local microbrewery's distributor. Still costs more, and a little less convenient to get, but at that price I don't mind so much.
Splitting it with some guys from your club, or have enough for life!

It has. But where's the fun in that?!?

 

[jpitts38]

I wonder if you could just add a little vinegar in the water for softening agent

 

[MRixonKBC]

I have used this recipe and real PBW, and could not tell the difference in how clean things ended up. They both came out clean, with no discernable residue once rinsed well. I've got no quantifiable means of measuring though.

I used the recipe posted by the trevster on page 2, which is based off of the table on the first page.

I did notice that this stuff foams in my cleaner pump more when cold, than when warm water is used. Even cold it's still not even close to straight oxyclean. That stuff foams over the top of my pump tub for a long time. This will get about 3 inches of foam on to of 5 inches of liquid, and stays that way as long as the pump is running with a spray ball attached. The foam goes away pretty quickly when I turn the pump off to change items or be done cleaning.

I might use it today to clean a keg, carboy, and tap line. I'll try to get a pic and post it while it's running.

I too have found this (Oxy-Free and TSP/90) to work well in regards to cleaning my equipment, but I definitely have an issue with foaming. I use a homemade keg and carboy washer, consisting of a 5 gal bucket, a small fountain pump, and pvc piping. When I run the pump, this stuff foams up like crazy, filling my kegs with foam.

Regarding costs, I can get the Oxi-Free at Target for $7.59/3 lbs, and the TSP/90 from Amazon for $15.75/4 lbs, after taxes, I' made mine for about $3.15 /lb. I'm going to try adding the 7th Generation to my mix. It's available at my Target for $6.49/75 oz. It will drop my cost/lb to $2.94, and maybe help decrease my foaming.

 

[user 204491]

I've never experienced any foaming using the recipe on page 2 with the specific brand of ingredients I've listed out a few times here.

That includes recirculating through a pump for and using a drill powered keg brush.

 

[Jwin]

I've never experienced any foaming using the recipe on page 2 with the specific brand of ingredients I've listed out a few times here.

That includes recirculating through a pump for and using a drill powered keg brush.

Neither I
I think you might not be using the right oxy and have oxy laundry detergent

 

[user 204491]

Neither I
I think you might not be using the right oxy and have oxy laundry detergent

Yeah, what I see online at Target for 3 lbs @ $7.59 is a product called Oxi-Clean Versatile Stain Remover Free.

I'm not familiar at all with that product, so I can't really offer anything here.

I can just say that the OXO brite from Costco works brilliantly here, is dirt cheap, and is free shipping online (I've only seen it at my local Costco once before). Of course you have to have a Costco membership to get it, so maybe not available to everyone.

 

[barrooze]

Yeah, what I see online at Target for 3 lbs @ $7.59 is a product called Oxi-Clean Versatile Stain Remover Free.

I'm not familiar at all with that product, so I can't really offer anything here.

That's the correct stuff. For the recipe, you need 2 containers (48oz * 2). Make sure it's the "FREE" stuff, not the original recipe (it has the yellow lid) which has smelly stuff in it.

 

[user 204491]

That's the correct stuff. For the recipe, you need 2 containers (48oz * 2). Make sure it's the "FREE" stuff, not the original recipe (it has the yellow lid) which has smelly stuff in it.

Does anyone have the ingredient list for that product?

The container states "New & Improved," and if you're getting foaming issues using it, it would seem to contain more than just Sodium Carbonate and Sodium Percarbonate.

 

[jtratcliff]

Does anyone have the ingredient list for that product?

Oxiclean Free MDS with ingredients listed

 

[user 204491]

Interesting, not sure why people would get foaming with that then.

 

[beauvafr]

Any idea how to find TSP in Quebec?

 

[soccerdad]

http://www.ace-canada.com/cms/app/en/products/productDetails.html?pid=138583

Ace Hardware should have it

 

[beauvafr]

http://www.ace-canada.com/cms/app/en/products/productDetails.html?pid=138583

Ace Hardware should have it

Not the same used in tutorials found on the web. I am no sure about composition.

 

[barrooze]

Not the same used in tutorials found on the web. I am no sure about composition.

Correct, that is actual TSP, not the TSP/90, which is not TSP at all. The TSP works very well, I use it in my mixture. I think there is more of an environmental impact by using TSP, but I could be completely wrong...

 

[GotPushrods]

I think there is more of an environmental impact by using TSP, but I could be completely wrong...

There never was. It was banned quickly before the algae bloom conjecture was exposed as conjecture. This is why you won't find a single paper showing the 'impact'... it never existed. As with most junk science, you'll find about 3 papers that circular reference each other, nothing more. :smack: Use it with confidence. It WORKS!!!

Throw a tablespoon in your dishwasher to supplement your regular detergent. You might have forgotten how awesome your dishwasher really is. Same with your laundry!

:rockin: Whoa Whoa Whoa It Magic...
You know! :rockin:

 

[jpitts38]

What is the formula if using real TSP? I have this at work

 

[phug]

I just do a straight sub of tsp for tsp 90

 

[jpitts38]

Thx

 

[barrooze]

What is the formula if using real TSP? I have this at work

I just do a straight sub of tsp for tsp 90

I did the straight swap as suggested. Works great!

 

[BrunDog]

There never was. It was banned quickly before the algae bloom conjecture was exposed as conjecture.

Algae bloom is conjecture?!? Well, I see you live in Arizona, so no doubt you are an expert. Maybe I should send you a cup so you can experience it first hand and write your own circular scientific paper.

 

[passedpawn]

Let's get back on topic - Homemade PBW!

 

[CU_tony]

I just mixed together a batch of this stuff, I cant wait to try it out! (Is that actually a thing, getting excited for cleaning??)

I got the TSP90 and 7th gen from amazon and the oxo brite from costco.com (added like $1.80 since Im not a member).

Total cost = $55.47 for ~19lbs coming out to $2.87/lb which DOMINATES the price point for even 50lb buckets of PBW.
If you factor in that I ended up getting a two pack of 7th gen (150oz) and only used %77 percent of the OXO the cost of what I USED was $42.42 coming out to $2.20/lb!!!!

My only minimal concern is that I used a tupperware tote lined with a garbage bag to "mix" and shake the powders, but since they are all white(ish) I have no validation of how evenly I mixed the ingredients...
Also watch out for the dust that envelops you when pouring and mixing these powders. Though it didnt feel to great at least I know my eyes and lungs are clean now, right?

 

[Yooper]

I just mixed up a small batch, under 1 pound. I'll use it on my next brewday for my CIP routine.

 

[atoughram]

I just mixed up a batch of this stuff

I cheaped out on the TSP 90 - only put in half this time, but it's the same recipe I used last time except I added the 7th Gen to it. It suds more than TSP-90 and Oxy Clean only but seems to work better.

I did six pounds of Oxy Clean Free, two pounds of TSP-90, and 45oz of 7th Gen Dishwasher Detergent.

 

[Crazyeyes]

I've used that recipe a few times, and only problems with Ive had with foaming is in my keg washer, to solve the problem, I just add several drops of hot tub defoamer and it knocks the foam down to a manageable foaminess. Otherwise it works great.

 

[Horseflesh]

I made a batch, seems to work fine. It foams a lot though and the foam runoff marked the rubber on a corny keg. I'll have to be more careful to wash it off promptly next time.