Oxi Clean Question

[RLinNH]

So, I now have my Oxi Clean in the house for my Better Bottle Carboys. Question though. At the Grocery Store, they had 2 different Oxi Cleans. I bought the Big Tub of Oxi Clean Free. It just sounded right what with no residue of smells and what not. Did I buy the right stuff?

 

[Nurmey]

Yes, you want the "free" without the perfums.

 

[ChshreCat]

Yep. I go the regular Oxy Clean at CostCo in a gigantic box before discovering it was perfumed. So I picked up a small tub of Free and my wife got the big box of the stinky stuff for laundry. She was more than happy to take it off my hands.

 

[Anbrew]

This stuff is the best thing that ever happened to label removal <3

 

[BigKahuna]

This stuff is the best thing that ever happened to label removal <3

we have hard water...and it kills my beer!
I've suspected it for some time, but it's just not a good alternative for those of us that have very hard water, as the film it leaves is nearly impossible to rinse without Vinegar.
Don't worry though. If you had it...you'd know it. It's a thick White Chalky Powder that wont' come off....Can't Miss It.

 

[mrfocus]

we have hard water...and it kills my beer!
I've suspected it for some time, but it's just not a good alternative for those of us that have very hard water, as the film it leaves is nearly impossible to rinse without Vinegar.
Don't worry though. If you had it...you'd know it. It's a thick White Chalky Powder that wont' come off....Can't Miss It.

That only happens when you use hot water with Oxy Clean. It's called a "percarbonate scale". I don't believe it has anything to do with water hardness. Vinegar and water is the easiest way to remove it.

 

[Evets]

Does percarbonite scale affect the quality of the beer?

 

[ArroganceFan]

That only happens when you use hot water with Oxy Clean. It's called a "percarbonate scale". I don't believe it has anything to do with water hardness. Vinegar and water is the easiest way to remove it.

I use hotwater with oxyclean and I have not had this issue.

 

[King of Cascade]

I use hotwater with oxyclean and I have not had this issue.

I make the water as hot as possible when using Oxy-clean

 

[RLinNH]

Does percarbonite scale affect the quality of the beer?

Good question as I always have this stuff on the bottom of my HLT when I am done using it. I have always wondered what the heck that stuff was...

 

[BigKahuna]

Good question as I always have this stuff on the bottom of my HLT when I am done using it. I have always wondered what the heck that stuff was...

Yes! Yes It does.

Tastes NASTY, and tastes much like every malady you've ever tried to describe.
It's fruity, it's plastickey, it's bandaid like, it's sour...It's a booger to track down.

 

[Evets]

I use hotwater with oxyclean and I have not had this issue.

I use Oxyclean. Sometimes I have the problem and sometimes I don't. When I mix up a batch, I use hot water, but later, I'll use the same batch(cold) over again. I never took notice which of the two caused the problem. Looks like I'll have to pay more attention.

 

[redneckbeagle]

I have been using OxyClean for some time, in carboys and kegs. I just make sure not to leave it in the keg to long and I rinse with hot water about 4 times and then use one Step and then I idaphor it before us. I usually leave in the carboys for a day or 2 and do the same hot water rinse about 4 times and then air dry and then use Idaphor before use.

No problems yet!!!!

 

[G-E-R-M-A-N]

Ok so I noticed this white stuff(precarbonate scale) in my carboy after cleaning with oxyclean. So WTF why is this stuff so recommended if it leaves things that produce an off flavor?


Is the PBW the same or different makeup?

 

[lamarguy]

Ok so I noticed this white stuff(precarbonate scale) in my carboy after cleaning with oxyclean.

If it's leaving a film, you're likely using too high of a concentration for the hardness of your local water. All percarbonate cleaners reduce to soda ash once mixed with water, which leaves a film if the ash concentration is too high. So, if your water is soft, I would recommend using less than the instructions call for.

Personally, I have a water softener, so I use 1/2 scoop of oxyclean plus a teaspoon of iodine in warm water to clean my fermentation buckets. I let it sit overnight and rinse it in the morning. Works great, no film.

 

[G-E-R-M-A-N]

If it's leaving a film, you're likely using too high of a concentration for the hardness of your local water. All percarbonate cleaners reduce to soda ash once mixed with water, which leaves a film if the ash concentration is too high. So, if your water is soft, I would recommend using less than the instructions call for.

Personally, I have a water softener, so I use 1/2 scoop of oxyclean plus a teaspoon of iodine in warm water to clean my fermentation buckets. I let it sit overnight and rinse it in the morning. Works great, no film.

Yeah I really need to check up on my water makeup for where I brew.

So based on what you said I have too soft of water for the amount used?

I had stubborn spots on where the krausen ring was in the carboy, and had to clean a few times. I was never successful in removing them. They are very light and almost clear as the glass. I am just trying to figure out if my carboy is clean enough.

 

[lamarguy]

Ya, I was recommending you use less if you're getting a 'soda ash' (sodium carbonate) film.

From Wikipedia:

In domestic use, it [soda ash] is used as a water softener during laundry. It competes with the ions magnesium and calcium in hard water and prevents them from bonding with the detergent being used. Without using washing soda, additional detergent is needed to soak up the magnesium and calcium ions. Called Washing Soda or Sal Soda[2] in the detergent section of stores, it effectively removes oil, grease, and alcohol stains. Sodium carbonate is also used as a descaling agent in boilers such as found in coffee pots, espresso machines, etc.

 

[Anbrew]

Wow, this has me a little scared now. I use Oxyclen to remove labels from bottles, clean kegs, and soak carboys. I use extremely hot water with oxyclean, I have never noticed any deposits or residue...

Hmm...got me all paranoid now

 

[lamarguy]

Hmm...got me all paranoid now

Haha...Sorry, that wasn't my intent.