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DIY PBW
Jun 28, 2020 15:48:03 GMT -6
Post by OldMan on Jun 28, 2020 15:48:03 GMT -6
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Post by jimdkc on Jun 28, 2020 19:12:35 GMT -6
I know that thread well!
OxiClean plus TSP/90 (TSP Substitute) (60/40 mix if I remember right) is pretty close to... but not quite... PBW. Trying to get closer just gets really complicated!
I found that straight OxiClean Versatile Free (without dyes, fragrance, and chlorine) works for about 90% of what I need to clean. For the heavy lifting, I just use PBW. I bought a 4 lb. tub of it, and it will probably last me a pretty long time.
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DIY PBW
Jun 28, 2020 20:10:35 GMT -6
Post by OldMan on Jun 28, 2020 20:10:35 GMT -6
I couldn't figure out what the final formula was because they kept going back and forth with the ingredients. I know most don't use the 7th generation in the spreadsheet formula and one of the guys says to squirt a little dishwasher schmoo in the mix. -I don't brew enough that I need to worry about running out of oxy clean as we keep that stuff in stock for the regular laundry and general house cleaning. I just like the DIY aspect of the thread. We made our own laundry soap for a couple of five-gallon batches but the wife missed the smell of the old brand of soap and she went back.
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Post by jimdkc on Jun 28, 2020 21:05:13 GMT -6
I also liked the DIY aspect and the possibility of saving a few bucks. But it got so complicated that it didn't seem to be worth it any more! Nobody really knows what surfactant (lowers surface tension, "wetting" agent) or chelator (softens water, lowers pH) that PBW uses. So everybody just started guessing and trying other ingredients. Turned into a big mess! And, by the time you buy all that other stuff, you're not saving much.
I'm still saving money by just using Oxi Free most of the time. I used to use PBW to clean everything, but it's really overkill most of the time
The 60% Oxyi Free / 40% TSP/90 (Sodium Metasilicate) worked sorta OK, but turned into a solid brick after about the 2nd use!
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matt6150
Full Member
Patient Zero
Posts: 142
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DIY PBW
Jun 29, 2020 7:05:16 GMT -6
Post by matt6150 on Jun 29, 2020 7:05:16 GMT -6
I also liked the DIY aspect and the possibility of saving a few bucks. But it got so complicated that it didn't seem to be worth it any more! Nobody really knows what surfactant (lowers surface tension, "wetting" agent) or chelator (softens water, lowers pH) that PBW uses. So everybody just started guessing and trying other ingredients. Turned into a big mess! And, by the time you buy all that other stuff, you're not saving much. I'm still saving money by just using Oxi Free most of the time. I used to use PBW to clean everything, but it's really overkill most of the time The 60% Oxyi Free / 40% TSP/90 (Sodium Metasilicate) worked sorta OK, but turned into a solid brick after about the 2nd use!I mix up big batches of this and keep desiccant bags in a sealed container. Works well and have never had a problem with it becoming a brick. |
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Post by zymot on Jun 29, 2020 7:47:40 GMT -6
My experience with DIY like this is they tend to not be worth the trouble. At least over all they are not worth it. Either I spend way too much time, or it ends up being almost as expensive, or the failures or low quality results make regret my attempt to save a couple bucks.
Oxiclean? I leave that for the washing machine. I used it a few times, once and it left a heavy film on my bottles and was a huge PITA to clean off. I know, I know. Now somebody chimes in with "I have used Oxiclean for years and I never had a problem." I am sure you have not, good for you.
Denny says use a stainless steel mesh harvested from a plumbing hose? I know, I know, Denny has been doing that for years and never had a problem. I tried that. I shopped all over town looking for the perfect hose to chop up. All I got was a $12.00 lighter in the wallet and a stuck mash. Should have gone with the $19.95 bazooka screen from zymico in the first place.
When I look at the dollars and cents difference in savings, it often ain't all that much any way. If I use 50¢ of PBW or 25¢ of PBW clone on a brew day, not a big deal. We are talking about a difference 25¢. If I wanted to save money, I should not have picked homebrewing as a hobby in the first place.
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DIY PBW
Jun 29, 2020 7:49:52 GMT -6
Post by jkor on Jun 29, 2020 7:49:52 GMT -6
Oxy free seems to work pretty well for me. It dissolves all the gunk very quickly. i don't see any obvious reason to stop using it.
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DIY PBW
Jun 29, 2020 7:54:55 GMT -6
Post by jkor on Jun 29, 2020 7:54:55 GMT -6
ETA: A quick search around showed you can get a 50lb bucket of PBW for as low as $160 (ritebrew.com). That's not even much more than what I'm paying for Oxy free (I usually get the 3.5lb tub for $8.99, which would be ~$130 for 50lb). Just buy the PBW!
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DIY PBW
Jun 29, 2020 8:52:26 GMT -6
Post by zymot on Jun 29, 2020 8:52:26 GMT -6
Oxy free seems to work pretty well for me. It dissolves all the gunk very quickly. i don't see any obvious reason to stop using it. I know, I know. Now somebody chimes in with "I have used Oxiclean for years and I never had a problem." I am sure you have not, good for you. I know, I know.
I think Oxiclean does not play well with hard water. After spending a couple hours scrubbing oxiclean film off my beer bottles and soaking them and delaying my bottling, that stuff is not allowed around my brewing kit.
Nobody has a problem until - they have a problem. Like I said, saving 25-50 cents ain't worth it.
Now is when somebody chimes in with with how bottling sucks and kegging is easier. I know, I know.
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DIY PBW
Jun 29, 2020 9:26:12 GMT -6
Post by drez on Jun 29, 2020 9:26:12 GMT -6
Oxy free seems to work pretty well for me. It dissolves all the gunk very quickly. i don't see any obvious reason to stop using it. I know, I know.
I think Oxiclean does not play well with hard water. After spending a couple hours scrubbing oxiclean film off my beer bottles and soaking them and delaying my bottling, that stuff is not allowed around my brewing kit.
Nobody has a problem until - they have a problem. Like I said, saving 25-50 cents ain't worth it.
Now is when somebody chimes in with with how bottling sucks and kegging is easier. I know, I know.
Bottling sucks .. canning is easier  |
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DIY PBW
Jun 29, 2020 11:44:03 GMT -6
Post by OldMan on Jun 29, 2020 11:44:03 GMT -6
ETA: A quick search around showed you can get a 50lb bucket of PBW for as low as $160 (ritebrew.com). That's not even much more than what I'm paying for Oxy free (I usually get the 3.5lb tub for $8.99, which would be ~$130 for 50lb). Just buy the PBW! After you add shipping its nearly 200.00. I can pick up the ingredients for DIY PBW at my local Walmart for zero shipping. |
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DIY PBW
Jun 29, 2020 11:58:29 GMT -6
Post by zymot on Jun 29, 2020 11:58:29 GMT -6
What about the new kid on the block? Craft Meister Alkaline Brewery Wash?
CHEMICAL NAME CAS REG. #
Sodium Carbonate 497-19-8 50-60%
Silicic Acid 6834-92-0 30-40%
Sodium Sesquicarbonate 533-96-0 </= 5%
Sodium Hydroxide 1310-73-2
Other ingredients are judged to be non-hazardous, their CAS numbers and their exact percent of composition are proprietary to National Chemicals, Inc.Sec
This is the stuff that Denny strongly prefers to PBW
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DIY PBW
Jun 29, 2020 12:12:43 GMT -6
Post by OldMan on Jun 29, 2020 12:12:43 GMT -6
What about the new kid on the block? Craft Meister Alkaline Brewery Wash? CHEMICAL NAME CAS REG. # Sodium Carbonate 497-19-8 50-60% Silicic Acid 6834-92-0 30-40% Sodium Sesquicarbonate 533-96-0 </= 5% Sodium Hydroxide 1310-73-2 Other ingredients are judged to be non-hazardous, their CAS numbers and their exact percent of composition are proprietary to National Chemicals, Inc.Sec This is the stuff that Denny strongly prefers to PBW looks easy enough to duplicate. DIY Alkaline Brewery Wash All ready working on it over at HBT www.homebrewtalk.com/threads/diy-alkaline-brewery-wash-pbw-type-cleaner.644154/post-8203391 |
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Post by denny on Jun 29, 2020 12:58:05 GMT -6
My experience with DIY like this is they tend to not be worth the trouble. At least over all they are not worth it. Either I spend way too much time, or it ends up being almost as expensive, or the failures or low quality results make regret my attempt to save a couple bucks. Oxiclean? I leave that for the washing machine. I used it a few times, once and it left a heavy film on my bottles and was a huge PITA to clean off. I know, I know. Now somebody chimes in with "I have used Oxiclean for years and I never had a problem." I am sure you have not, good for you. Denny says use a stainless steel mesh harvested from a plumbing hose? I know, I know, Denny has been doing that for years and never had a problem. I tried that. I shopped all over town looking for the perfect hose to chop up. All I got was a $12.00 lighter in the wallet and a stuck mash. Should have gone with the $19.95 bazooka screen from zymico in the first place. When I look at the dollars and cents difference in savings, it often ain't all that much any way. If I use 50¢ of PBW or 25¢ of PBW clone on a brew day, not a big deal. We are talking about a difference 25¢. If I wanted to save money, I should not have picked homebrewing as a hobby in the first place. You should have asked. I could have sent you the name and modle lf the one I use. Not all braids are equal. |
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DIY PBW
Jun 29, 2020 14:53:07 GMT -6
Post by zymot on Jun 29, 2020 14:53:07 GMT -6
My experience with DIY like this is they tend to not be worth the trouble. At least over all they are not worth it. Either I spend way too much time, or it ends up being almost as expensive, or the failures or low quality results make regret my attempt to save a couple bucks. Oxiclean? I leave that for the washing machine. I used it a few times, once and it left a heavy film on my bottles and was a huge PITA to clean off. I know, I know. Now somebody chimes in with "I have used Oxiclean for years and I never had a problem." I am sure you have not, good for you. Denny says use a stainless steel mesh harvested from a plumbing hose? I know, I know, Denny has been doing that for years and never had a problem. I tried that. I shopped all over town looking for the perfect hose to chop up. All I got was a $12.00 lighter in the wallet and a stuck mash. Should have gone with the $19.95 bazooka screen from zymico in the first place. When I look at the dollars and cents difference in savings, it often ain't all that much any way. If I use 50¢ of PBW or 25¢ of PBW clone on a brew day, not a big deal. We are talking about a difference 25¢. If I wanted to save money, I should not have picked homebrewing as a hobby in the first place. You should have asked. I could have sent you the name and modle lf the one I use. Not all braids are equal. This was like >12 years ago.
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