[BrewArk]

I have bought the fragrance free type in the past, but these days I opt for the 14lb box at Costco and just rinse a bit better.

My theory is that it's like propane gas. The fragrance is good. You know you've done a thorough rinse when the odor is gone.

Fantastic thinking. I now am a fan of oxy with smell. In the past I tried to find oxy free, but used oxy versatile if I couldn't find the free. Now I'm sticking with versatile and remembering your theory

That's probably fine for glass, & steel, but be cautious with plastic.  HDPE can absorb fragrance oils fairly easily.  If you soak for too long you could get a build up that might transfer over to the plastic.  It's probably not enough to affect the taste of your beer, but I don't want any flowery perfume in my fermentors.

[tesgüino]

I have bought the fragrance free type in the past, but these days I opt for the 14lb box at Costco and just rinse a bit better.

My theory is that it's like propane gas. The fragrance is good. You know you've done a thorough rinse when the odor is gone.

Fantastic thinking. I now am a fan of oxy with smell. In the past I tried to find oxy free, but used oxy versatile if I couldn't find the free. Now I'm sticking with versatile and remembering your theory

That's probably fine for glass, & steel, but be cautious with plastic.  HDPE can absorb fragrance oils fairly easily.  If you soak for too long you could get a build up that might transfer over to the plastic.  It's probably not enough to affect the taste of your beer, but I don't want any flowery perfume in my fermentors.

There seems to be a flip side to everything. Since I don't use plastic, I'd never thought of that. Glad you pointed it out.

[macbrews]

I have used Easy Clean and liked it. I am currently trying Oxiclean and don't really like the slippery feeling it leaves. I usually give it a quick rinse to loose that feel but prefer Easy Clean. I haven't use PBW because of price.

Might have to give the Craftmeister stuff a try.

Do you use the Craftmeister product in similar quantities to PBW?  If so:

Craftmeister = 5 lbs for $32.99 = $6.60/lb (their web site)
PBW = 8 lbs for $49.95 = $6.24/lb (High Gravity)

If it works better or you use less, it is cheaper or more efficacious. 

Otherwise, its a wash (pun intended)

[denny]

I have bought the fragrance free type in the past, but these days I opt for the 14lb box at Costco and just rinse a bit better.

My theory is that it's like propane gas. The fragrance is good. You know you've done a thorough rinse when the odor is gone.

Fantastic thinking. I now am a fan of oxy with smell. In the past I tried to find oxy free, but used oxy versatile if I couldn't find the free. Now I'm sticking with versatile and remembering your theory

That's probably fine for glass, & steel, but be cautious with plastic.  HDPE can absorb fragrance oils fairly easily.  If you soak for too long you could get a build up that might transfer over to the plastic.  It's probably not enough to affect the taste of your beer, but I don't want any flowery perfume in my fermentors.

I've used Oxi on my buckets for 15+ years.  No fragrance problems.

[denny]

I have used Easy Clean and liked it. I am currently trying Oxiclean and don't really like the slippery feeling it leaves. I usually give it a quick rinse to loose that feel but prefer Easy Clean. I haven't use PBW because of price.

Might have to give the Craftmeister stuff a try.

Do you use the Craftmeister product in similar quantities to PBW?  If so:

Craftmeister = 5 lbs for $32.99 = $6.60/lb (their web site)
PBW = 8 lbs for $49.95 = $6.24/lb (High Gravity)

If it works better or you use less, it is cheaper or more efficacious. 

Otherwise, its a wash (pun intended)

It definitely works better.  Craftmeister also has a refill program.  If your LHBS is on that, you can get containers refilled at a discount.

[klickitat jim]

I have bought the fragrance free type in the past, but these days I opt for the 14lb box at Costco and just rinse a bit better.

My theory is that it's like propane gas. The fragrance is good. You know you've done a thorough rinse when the odor is gone.

Fantastic thinking. I now am a fan of oxy with smell. In the past I tried to find oxy free, but used oxy versatile if I couldn't find the free. Now I'm sticking with versatile and remembering your theory

That's probably fine for glass, & steel, but be cautious with plastic.  HDPE can absorb fragrance oils fairly easily.  If you soak for too long you could get a build up that might transfer over to the plastic.  It's probably not enough to affect the taste of your beer, but I don't want any flowery perfume in my fermentors.

I've used Oxi on my buckets for 15+ years.  No fragrance problems.

I soak corny kegs in oxy overnight. I recirculate it hot in my BK and Stainless MT. I use it in my Speidel fermentors hot, but they only soak till the krausen ring falls (about 20 min). I soak labels off bottles with it, and use it to clean bottles before sanitizing. So far I've not noticed any lingering aromas, but I suppose its entirely possible.

[toby]

I use Oxiclean Free.  Definitely no fragrance issues.

[coolman26]

I've been mixing my own Oxy,Red Devil TSP, and dish powder.  It has been working great and I've not had any issues.  My water is hard so I haven't done many long term soaks.  Last time I did one with Oxy I tossed my bottles.  I'd like to buy something by the drum the next time.  Once I started brewing big batches the demand goes up.  I like the idea of not needing hot water.  I'm going to give that product a shot.

[Steve Ruch]

Craftmeister also has a refill program.  If your LHBS is on that, you can get containers refilled at a discount.

If your LHBS even carries Craftmaster.

[BrodyR]

Just picked up some oxyclean (along with my first gelatin purchase) from target - only used it on 2 kegs, one that was used for serving and another for fermenting. Worked well but I did need to manually scrub out some gunk on the fermentaton keg.

[rebuiltcellars]

Sigh.  After years of making due with a locally available but weaker version of Oxyclean, my LHBS finally started to carry PBW this year.  I wonder how long I'll need to wait before he stocks Craftmaster.

[Steve Ruch]

It definitely works better.

The oxywash version or the alkali?

[denny]

It definitely works better.

The oxywash version or the alkali?

Both, IMO.

[ynotbrusum]

Going to clean some Big Mouth Bubbler and Better Bottle PET fermenters this weekend and was wondering about Craftmeister tabs and that type of plastic?  Anyone have any experience on that?  I know that I have been hesitant to use PBW on the PET types in the past (something about micro cracking)...

[Stevie]

I think the micro cracking is overblown. If used at the proper concentration, the PET should be fine. When I soak my old as hell better bottles, I add my cleaner to a bucket and mix before I add to the fermenter. This, in my opinion, helps to keep the concentration from being too high.