Question 1

Are the mixing proportions on the bottle given in fluid ounces (volume) per gallon or ounces (weight) per gallon.

Accepted Answer

My label gives dilutions in "oz" per gallon, but it doesn't specify whether this is fluid ounces or avoirdupois ounces. It does indicate weighted solutions for different uses:

0.56% solution by weight for light cleaning (5.6 grams per liter of water)

My label says ".075%" to 1.1% solution by weight for medium cleaning (I'm guessing the former is a typo and was intended to be 0.75% rather than .075%, so this would be 7.5 - 11 grams per liter of water)

"2 to 4 oz per gallon" For soaking solutions or heavy cleaning (I guess this would be 11 - 22 grams per liter of water)

In short, the measurements on my label are inconsistent, so I stick with the weighted solutions and measure that way. For reference, I measured out a standard 8oz US measuring cup and it weighed 260 grams, or about 16.25 grams per Tablespoon. This works out to (roughly):

4 teaspoons per gallon of water for light cleaning

5½ - 8 teaspoons per gallon for medium cleaning

8 - 16 teaspoons per gallon for heavy cleaning/soaking

Question 2

Is this an alkaline wash like Craft Meister. Using it to remove labels from craft brew bottles to recycle for homebrew.

Accepted Answer

Wineman is incorrect - PBW is significantly stronger than soda ash. An aqueous solution containing 1% soda ash has a pH of approximately 11.4. A 1% solution of PBW (30% sodium metasilicate anhydrous) has a pH of approximately 12.0. PBW is 30% sodium metasilicate anhydrous. This is where it gets its alkalinity from. Soda Ash is considered a non-hazardous material by the department of transportation. Sodium metasilicate anhydrous on the other hand is classified as a corrosive material, requiring the diamond corrosive label. In addition it is classified as a packaging group II by the DOT.  Do a search for the SDS on Soda Ash and one for Sodium Metasilicate Anhydrous.  PBW is a good product, however it's marketed as something that it's not.  It is a corrosive material and it should viewed from a personal protection (PPE) standpoint, similar to a material containing caustic soda.  Caustic Soda is classified corrosive, packaging group II.  However, sodium metasilicate anhydrous is significantly less corrosive to aluminum and other "soft metals."  That however is simply its "chemistry" not its alkaline strength.

Question 3

Is it safe to boil PBW? I am trying to get junk out of my cross-flow wort chiller.

Accepted Answer

Yes

Question 4

Can this be used to run through a drip coffee maker

Accepted Answer

Thank you for your inquiry. I would not recommend running PBW through a drip coffee maker.

ASIN	B001D6IVZG
ASIN	B001D6IVZG
Best Sellers Rank	#137,262 in Health ( See Top 100 in Health ) #1,941 in All-Purpose Household Cleaners
Brand Name	Five Star
Contains Liquid Contents?	Yes
Global Trade Identification Number	09421025516375
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer	Yes
Item Form	Liquid
Item Volume	10 Milliliters
Item Weight	4 Pounds
Item model number	CL25B
Material Features	Organic
Model Number	CL25B
Number of Items	1
Part Number	091037068620
Product Dimensions	11 x 11 x 17 cm; 1.81 kg
Scent	Powdered
Special Features	Vegetarian
Specific Uses For Product	stainless steel, skin, rubber, soft metals, plastics
Surface Recommendation	Stainless Steel
UPC	793842548587 091037068620 885159576763
Unit Count	1892.7 Milliliters

Five Star PBW, 4 lbs

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