OxiClean...

[causerofwait]

works great for cleaning! I picked some up from Wally World, the "Free" kind (no dyes, perfumes or detergents). I just used it to clean my 5gal carboy that I have been dry-hopping (with homegrown willamette) in for about 4 weeks. It had a obvious sediment ring at the top that I was sure I would have to scrub. I filled it with about 1-1.5oz oxiclean and hot water. I figured I would have to let it soak for a while but by the time I carefully filled it all the way to the top it was gone. I still let it soak for a bit, then rinsed with hot water a few times and it came out clean as a whistle! I had used PBW before and it also worked well but was too expensive for me. $6 for a 56oz (I think) bucket saves me money, which I'm sure I'll spend on either equipment or ingredients:D .
Just my .02

[beerking]

Oxiclean is the same chemical as PBW, only at about 25% the strength of PBW.

[causerofwait]

well I guessed on the amount I used. Any ideas on what to use for a 5gal? I know that 1-1.5oz will do the trick but maybe I could use less? What do you use?

[beerking]

I use PBW, at a rate of 1 Tbsp per gallon of the hottest water my faucet will put out. I have, on one occasion, even heated the water in my kettle.
To do the same with Oxyclean, I would recommend using 4 Tbsp per gallon.

[causerofwait]

You just reminded me why I ran out of PBW and had to get an alternative. I was going to clean all 3 of my kegs one afternoon so I grabbed my 16oz PBW, read the directions and realized that my entire $10 16oz container would be used in 1 keg. I stretched it out by transferring full volumes from one keg to another till they were all clean, with multiple heatings with my propane. Between expensive PBW and propane use it just wasn't cost effective. I guess if OxiClean gets it clean that's the most important outcome.
Thanks again!

[Mill Rat]

I'll toss in my usual recommendation of washing soda (soduim carbonate) for cleaning (won't sanitize). Cheaper than PBW or Oxiclean, use at a rate of 1 tbsp per gallon. I usually just fill whatever I'm cleaning with the washing soda solution, let it sit overnight, and it all rinses out free and clean the next day. It probably only needs an hour, butsince I have enough space in the basement, most of the time I'm in no particular hurry with the clean-up.

[causerofwait]

dishwashing soap or laundry soap?

[Mill Rat]

This is very basic laundry detergent. The only brand I've seen is Arm & Hammer, and it looks like an overgrown box of their more familiar baking soda. Found with the other laundry detergents.

[JayShaw91]

Interesting, Mill Rat. I've been an OxyClean guy for a while now and don't feel it is costly in any way. BUT, if there is a cheaper way to do things, I'm all over it. I'll have to give this a shot.

For you thinking about OxyClean, *do* use it in small amounts, i.e. not a whole scoop for a 5 gal batch. That stuff has a bad habit of leaving a film on things if you don't rinse really well. I've been backing off more and more on how much I use (I was *way* over-using it for a while), so as long as you're not doing like I did, you should be fine.

One more thing: If you're putting OxyClean in corny's with hot water, don't put your face right over the top. The fumes produced will fry your lungs a little. Nope... I've never done this :) Not me, never!

[gaelic]

As for cleaning bottles, does anyone ever put their bottles in the dishwasher without dishwashing detergent, just using the hot water, and steam to clean the bottles? Or do you really need the cleaner to come into contact with the bottles to clean the inside. I wash my bottles after I pour the beer and turn it upside down on rack I made to drain the excess water. Any thoughts on this?

[beerking]

As for cleaning bottles, does anyone ever put their bottles in the dishwasher without dishwashing detergent, just using the hot water, and steam to clean the bottles? Or do you really need the cleaner to come into contact with the bottles to clean the inside. I wash my bottles after I pour the beer and turn it upside down on rack I made to drain the excess water. Any thoughts on this?

I just use the dishwasher for sanitizing (it has a "sterilize" setting), not for cleaning.
I know many of my homebrew bottles, esp if they have sat with beer in them for a while, will get significant amounts of yeast and other "stuff" built up not only on the bottom, but on the sides too. For cleaning, I soak in PBW and run a bottle brush through them. For my uses, my bottles just are not clean if I have not run a brush through them after soaking.
Major PITA, but before implementing this I did have some beers get contaminated in the bottle (could tell because in a single batch some bottles were infected and some were not). That has not happened after I started brushing them.
After they are soaked and brushed, I will either set them in StarSan sol'n (small numbers of bottles) or run them through the dishwasher, with no soap or rinse agent, and set for "Heat Dry" and "Sterilize."

[Mad Scientist]

Like beerking, I used to use the dishwasher, but you really have to evaluate your water quality before doing that. Basically, if you cannot use your tap water to brew with, then do not use it in your dishwasher...crappy water quality and dishsoap make for some interesting chemistry that remains even when you do not use any soap.