PBW in a corny

[BrewDog]

I'm soaking a corny in PBW. Is there an upper limit to how long I should let it sit there? Would it hurt if I let it sit for a few days or even longer?

Thanks-

[fretlessman71]

At first glance I thought you posted, "PBR in a Corny"! I thought, "ARE YOU MAD?" ;)

Probably not telling you anything you don't already know, but this is from Northern Brewer:

"PBW (Powdered Brewery Wash) is a patented alkali cleaner originally developed for Coors, now widely used in commercial breweries across North America. Use 1 to 2 ounces per gallon for cleaning kettles, 3/4 ounce per gallon for fermenters, kegs, and other equipment. Soak equipment overnight in PBW solution; rinse the following morning - no scrubbing required! Will not damage rubber gaskets, soft metals, or your skin. PBW can effectively clean items that can't be reached with a brush or sponge, and is strong enough to remove thick, difficult, caked-on organic soils. PBW is environmentally friendly, biodegradable, and will not harm septic systems."

Hope this helps!

[BigRed]

Originally posted by BrewDog
I'm soaking a corny in PBW. Is there an upper limit to how long I should let it sit there? Would it hurt if I let it sit for a few days or even longer?

Thanks-

The way I remember it from chemistry class, only two chemicals at room temp are strong enough to eat glass:

Fluorine
Hydrofluoric Acid

I would say you you are safe!

(p.s.) you could probably leave it in there two or three years and the carboy wouldnt know a difference.

[BrewDog]

BigRed-

Thanks for the reply, but you are confusing carboys with cornies. As I'm sure you know, carboys are glass, cornies are stainless steel.

Fret-
I saw that text too, but since it said 'overnight', I was wondering if there is an upper limit. Sort of in the spirit of 'how lazy can I be and still not screw things up' (Right ToneyC? :D)

[b3s]

i just go with 30 minutes, but overnight should work, too.

[BigRed]

Originally posted by BrewDog
BigRed-

Thanks for the reply, but you are confusing carboys with cornies. As I'm sure you know, carboys are glass, cornies are stainless steel.


LOL, thats what I get for not paying attention.

[shifty brewer]

I don't know about PBW not hurting skin. The first time I used the stuff I thought, "I don't think this is doing anything" It was then that I noticed my fingertips were tingling and I had some skin peeling. I LOVE the stuff, just don't mix it too strong.

[toneyc]

I have left PBW in a corny for about 2 weeks without any problem. Can't do that with oxy-clean, though.

:)
Toney.

[lantzn]

I love PBW for cleaning my cornies. One thing I didn't see mentioned here was using it with very hot water. If you use it with 170F or hotter water, it will clean most anything out of the corny within minutes. I usually bring a gallon of water to almost a boil add the PBW and place it in the keg. The heat and steam will seal the keg and I shake it for a few minutes then pour the hot cleaner into the next keg to be cleaned. If you have some tough beer stone that didn't quite come off just pour it back in and keep shaking. I've been able to remove anything even from kegs including beer stone residue from beer aged a year or more and oils left from dry hopping.