Oxiclean vs PBW

[thegame310]

I use Oxiclean Free for everything, and have had zero problems.

 

[sloanfamilydsm]

I just switched to using Oxiclean. It is impressive how well it worked on my kettle and mash-tun. I will continue to use this product.

I too found it in the laundry detergent section. The container advertises it being used in the washing machine but then states it has over 101 uses. I wonder if they were thinking of my brew kettle when they made that disclaimer?

 

[sloanfamilydsm]

The scoop contained within my Oxiclean Versatile container is approximately 2 tablespoons.

I wanted to completely fill my kettle. But, I following the manufacturers recommendation (and it was very effective) at 4 scoops per gallon I didn't dare fill my kettle but only made 1 gallon and used a sponge to distribute.

What is the minimum amount of Oxiclean that can be used and still be effective on a brew kettle (read: how much do you use)?

 

[Beer_me_plz]

I use 4 oz./5 gal with outstanding results that mirror PBW with one exception - slight foam. The foaming is a bit bothersome, but can be controlled by adding some unscented dishwasher detergent (or other food-safe defoamer).

Defoamer + beer=

 

[sloanfamilydsm]

Defoamer + beer=

I had previously used dish-soap and with good rinsing did not notice any lacking of head.

I had done research and chose Oxiclean over PBW but trying to save a $ I was curious what the minimum threshold is and still be effective.

 

[mvanwie]

Defoamer + beer=

You still have to rinse, so if the defoamer is still getting into the beer, then agreed, sad face for improper cleaning techniques.

 

[JABBY]

Glad I found this, Oxiclean it is.

 

[kh54s10]

I've only used the cleaner that came with my equipment when I started, then Oxyclean I have heard complaints of it causing a film. This may be due to water differences or using too much. I use only 1/3 of the scoop that comes in the box with good results.

And to echo others: make sure you are getting Oxyclean that has no additives/perfumes!

 

[LBussy]

I'm glad there are smart people who have found alternatives. The ability to get what you need locally without taking it in the shorts is a definite plus. Worrying about the price of PBW (from one of the non-gouging retailers) seems like more trouble than I want though. At $35 for 8# it's not terribly bad when you figure how many uses you get out of that 8#, and how little that use now costs.

Don't get me wrong, it's not name-brand snobbery at all. It's just that if I place an order and I also get my PBW, I save time, I save money because I'm not driving on Saturday morning to get what I forgot to get when I should have bought it from Midwest or NB, and I'm not mixing things when I should be drinking beer and grinding grains.

Some folks are obviously more organized than I am and remember to ask their wife to get the Oxyclean and they remember to get the TSP @ the man-store. Awesome! I ain't that guy though so I just have a jug of the stuff I remember to order online whenever the mood strikes me. I am paying for that convenience and I'm okay with it.

 

[Rbeckett]

What brand monkey are you using? and what do they charge for shipping?



: )

You can have mine, I'm not using them anymore.. They are Southern Redneck Brand and go for snip and ship cost.
Heh heh heh
Wheelchair Bob

 

[JJFlash]

Just my FYI:

I find that PBW works best for me at 140-160 degrees. Cold it does not seem to work as well, and seems to fizzle out quickly on its cleaning ability. Still use it hot for stainless steel lines and plate chiller in circulation.

Oxyclean seems to work fine cold, especially noticeable in glass carboys. Seems to last longer in cleaning ability. I keep a 5 gallon plastic bucket full of cleaning solution and toss the dirty gear in it to soak a while.

 

[JABBY]

Seems to me like alot of trial and error.

 

[Majd]

Ok, thanks to all. I still need some help here. Oxi clean free? is that different than the Oxiclean that you buy from (lets say) smart and final? The one I bought had a stain remover printed on it, and blue colored dots or crystals in with the white stuff . See pictures attached.

Thanks

 

[Jeffinn]

I'm glad there are smart people who have found alternatives. The ability to get what you need locally without taking it in the shorts is a definite plus. Worrying about the price of PBW (from one of the non-gouging retailers) seems like more trouble than I want though. At $35 for 8# it's not terribly bad when you figure how many uses you get out of that 8#, and how little that use now costs.

Don't get me wrong, it's not name-brand snobbery at all. It's just that if I place an order and I also get my PBW, I save time, I save money because I'm not driving on Saturday morning to get what I forgot to get when I should have bought it from Midwest or NB, and I'm not mixing things when I should be drinking beer and grinding grains.

Some folks are obviously more organized than I am and remember to ask their wife to get the Oxyclean and they remember to get the TSP @ the man-store. Awesome! I ain't that guy though so I just have a jug of the stuff I remember to order online whenever the mood strikes me. I am paying for that convenience and I'm okay with it.

Exactly! Whatever works. I find the cost of PBW to be marginal in the grand scheme of things.

 

[mikescooling]

The big 50lbs five gallon bucket of PBW cost about $130. The only thing about brewing I don't like it the clean up, so spending a dollar per brew days is no big deal. Makes a great gift to other brewers too.

 

[Shooter]

Ok, thanks to all. I still need some help here. Oxi clean free? is that different than the Oxiclean that you buy from (lets say) smart and final? The one I bought had a stain remover printed on it, and blue colored dots or crystals in with the white stuff . See pictures attached.

Thanks

It's just the unscented version.

 

[hasenman]

I use Up & Up (Target's house brand) Oxygen Cleaner. It is basically repackaged Sun Oxygenated Cleaner (confirmed via an MSDS request). According the MSDS, Sun OC is 50-70% Na Carbonate & 30-40% Na Percarbonate. I prefer the Sun to Oxiclean because the Sun doesn't have the blue "flavor" crystals.

Since my understanding is that PBW is 30% Na Metasilicate and the rest percarbonates, a 30-70 mix of TSP/90 (Red Devil) and Sun Oxygen is as close as you're going to get to PBW at the chemical level.

I use 4 oz./5 gal with outstanding results that mirror PBW with one exception - slight foam. The foaming is a bit bothersome, but can be controlled by adding some unscented dishwasher detergent (or other food-safe defoamer).

During my cleaning cycle, the solution comes into contact with my aluminum BK, but I've never had any issues with that... I have a great oxide layer built up, which I assume helps.

I've got 2 questions for anyone still feel like responding to this thread:

Would you (or anybody else) know whether 'partial sodium silicate' is an alternative or maybe even the same as 'sodium metasilicate'?

I don't live in the US and can't run down to ACE hardware or anything like that for the TSP/90.

2.) Is Oxiclean OK to use on kegs? I just got some kegs and don't want to damage them by trying this. Just thought I'd ask.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can answer this question..and willing to!

 

[CB_in_Tokyo]

I can't answer number 1, but number 2 I can. Oxyclean is fine for kegs. I picked up a large number of kegs a few years back. One of the ones I was cleaning got forgotten and had Oxyclean in it for 2 years. It was fine.

 

[mvanwie]

I've got 2 questions for anyone still feel like responding to this thread:

Would you (or anybody else) know whether 'partial sodium silicate' is an alternative or maybe even the same as 'sodium metasilicate'?

I don't live in the US and can't run down to ACE hardware or anything like that for the TSP/90.

2.) Is Oxiclean OK to use on kegs? I just got some kegs and don't want to damage them by trying this. Just thought I'd ask.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can answer this question..and willing to!

Out of curiosity, are you in or somewhere close to China... a brief Googling seems to suggest that Sodium Metasilicate Pentahydrate and Sodium Metasilicate are both marketed as "partial sodium silicate" in that part of the world, the former commonly known as "Five Water Partial Sodium Silicate" and the latter, "Zero Water Partial Sodium Silicate."

In the U.S., Sodium Metasilicate is nearly always what is actually being referred to when someone uses the term Sodium Silicate, but they are not completely synonomous, as different silicates have different properties and characteristics.

Here's the best explanation I can find on sodium silicates:
https://final-test.oxy.com/OurBusinesses/Chemicals/Products/Documents/Silicates/silicate.pdf

Page 6 seems to suggest that, as detergents, Sodium Metasilicate and Sodium Metasilicate Pentahydrate can be used interchangeably. So provided you have one of the Zero Water or Five Water products, you should be good to go. The only material difference I see is that for our purposes here, we can store our generic PBWs using the anhydrous (Zero Water) metasilicate for a long period of time, whereas if you're using the pentahydrate (Five Water), you're going to want to mix only as needed.

 

[OtisLamb]

Hi. I just attempted the removal of labels from purchased brown beer bottles.

Equipment Used:
Plastic 5 Gallon Bucket (used to contain laundry detergent)
Empty Beer Bottles (drank the beer to empty them)
PBW (Powder Brewery Wash, a non-hazardous buffered alkaline brewery cleaner)
Hot Water (out of the faucet)

My method was:
1. Fill the five gallon bucket with hot water adding 2 tablespoons of PBW during the fill.
2. Completely submerge the bottles in the water.
3. Leave the bottles submerged for 60 minutes.
4. Some of the labels fell off with no prompting; some had to be coaxed leaving small amounts of glue.
5. Rinse the bottles while in the PBW solution removing any left-over glue.
6. Rinse the bottles in clean water.
7. Let dry.

This method produced clean re-usable bottles.
As I have read various methods using Oxiclean, my next attempt will use Oxiclean, as it is much more friendly to the pocketbook. :rockin:

 

[kcmobrewer]

I soak all my bottles in oxiclean to get the labels off. I don't measure it or anything just add maybe a few tbsp to a bucket of hot water, stir it up and let the bottles soak. They labels literally fall off within an hour or two. No scrubbing needed, you will be able to get the adhesive off lightly rubbing it with your finger.

However I have been considering going to PBW for my brew equipment cleaning needs, buying it in bulk.

 

[OtisLamb]

I soak all my bottles in oxiclean to get the labels off. I don't measure it or anything just add maybe a few tbsp to a bucket of hot water, stir it up and let the bottles soak. They labels literally fall off within an hour or two. No scrubbing needed, you will be able to get the adhesive off lightly rubbing it with your finger.

However I have been considering going to PBW for my brew equipment cleaning needs, buying it in bulk.

I have always used PBW. However; I have purchased Oxiclean for future use, due to costs.

 

[Renoun]

For those of you in areas with Fred Meyer's, QFC, or Kroger's stores I just bought some of the Kroger's store brand generic cleaner which is on the shelf next to OxiClean. Thankfully it is fragerence free since it is a 3.8lb container, rather than the 3lb container that OxiClean comes in for a couple of bucks less. If you happen to be shopping at a Fred Meyer they also sell 1lb bags of Red Devil TSP/90 in the paint department.

 

[meis1212]

Just noticed that TSP/90 has a warning "do not use on glass." Do those of you that mix Oxiclean and TSP/90 use the mix to clean your glass carboys? Have you noticed any side effects?

 

[atoughram]

For those of you in areas with Fred Meyer's, QFC, or Kroger's stores I just bought some of the Kroger's store brand generic cleaner which is on the shelf next to OxiClean. Thankfully it is fragerence free since it is a 3.8lb container, rather than the 3lb container that OxiClean comes in for a couple of bucks less. If you happen to be shopping at a Fred Meyer they also sell 1lb bags of Red Devil TSP/90 in the paint department.

I didn't even think to check there.... I've been looking for the Red Devil TSP/90 - I'll run by Freddies...

 

[Leukass]

I am out of PBW and need to clean a carboy and some kegs. I have this oxyclean - can i use it?
Doesn't smell like perfume or anything? - Sorry no idea why it is upside down

 

[OtisLamb]

I am out of PBW and need to clean a carboy and some kegs. I have this oxyclean - can i use it?
Doesn't smell like perfume or anything? - Sorry no idea why it is upside down

Yes, you can use Oxiclean. It will work just as good.

 

[Leukass]

Ok just checking it was ok it was oxy clean clear and or free


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[atoughram]

Yes, you can use Oxiclean. It will work just as good.

Dont let it sit in there overnight though!!!

It will precipitate something onto the glass and you wont like. I only let Oxyclean soak for 3-4 hours max.

It still works just as good though!

Reminds me - for the first time I mixed three pounds of OC with a pound of TSP/90 - will that take care of the glass spotting if soaked for too long?

(Thanks for the tip on Fred Meyer - they had plenty of TSP/90!!)

 

[Jupapabear]

I starsan my bottles after an overnight soak in oxiclean free, and it will clean the film right off for you. Just what I do. I only do this for label removal, usually when I'm limited on my time off.