[flbrewer]

Looking back over older posts, many people mention OxiClean "free" as the cleaner of choice. Looks like this is a little tough to find locally. What is a widely available product I can use to clean my equipment before I sanitize? Thanks.

[jamminbrew]

Of course it isn't free... You have to buy it .
Seriously, your lhbs should have PBW or B-Brite available, which is a similar type product, but geared towards brewing equipment. I use dish detergent on most of my equipment, with no ill effects. Just be very thorough when rinsing. But for beerstone and hard to scrub areas, nothing beats the PBW.

[flbrewer]

Yeah I've got a teeny bag of PBW that came w the kit. I assumed it was for after brew hard to get muck. Maybe I can find some sort of unscented dish soap. 

[bigchicken]

Of course it isn't free... You have to buy it .
Seriously, your lhbs should have PBW or B-Brite available, which is a similar type product, but geared towards brewing equipment. I use dish detergent on most of my equipment, with no ill effects. Just be very thorough when rinsing. But for beerstone and hard to scrub areas, nothing beats the PBW.

+ 1
I use the exact same process.

[jjflash]

I use PBW hot, 140 - 160 degrees for lines and plate chillers that I can recirculate solution. Doesn't seem to work as well at room temperature, and doesn't seem to keep its cleaning ability very long.

I use oxyclean at room temperature to clean everything else. Really does a nice job on glass carboys. Keep a 5 gallon bucket of solution at all times and toss in the dirty equipment to soak. Seems to last longer.