PBW(Powder Brewers Wash)

[StillHouseJunkie]

Anyone ever use Powder Brewers Wash to clean their copper still? If so, how good did it work?

[Deplorable]

All I use on the copper, is a worn out green scotch-brite pad dipped in a bucket of backset. I only clean the outside once in a while if it starts looking too splotchy. I don't do anything more than a water rinse of the insides after tearing down.

[Dr Griz]

Not a still, but copper mesh -- I found that something like StarSan (being acidic) was a better fit than PBW. But, like Deplorable says, backset will also give you the acid you need.

Something alkaline like PBW is best reserved for breaking down organic deposits in fermenters or scorching in kettles and elements.

[Demy]

I believe it is a weakly alkaline substance (I suppose sodium carbonate) is good for general cleaning but if you search for brilliance the copper you need an acid substance (vinegard,acid citric ecc), it is perfect after using an acid substance. I usually simply clean with water or a detergent that I do with the ash (great to eliminate odors), sometimes I do a thorough cleaning of that type using citric acid and then bicarbonate.

[Windy City]

Sometimes my plates get pretty gunked up because I do a lot of heavy corn mashes. Corn can bring over some heavy oils. If I feel they need to be cleaned due to excessive buildup I first wash them in a soap (dawn) and water then a 10% solution of citric acid. I normally leave it in the citric acid overnight. then 2 tablespoons of PBW per gallon of water overnight.
After they are cleaned I pre-patina the copper by soaking in clean water and air drying for a couple of days. I try to get a good patina on them before I use them as a clean copper will bring over some undesirable flavors.

[jonnys_spirit]

+1 on boiling backset (acid) and ethanol to clean and season your still!

Cheers,
-j

[StillHouseJunkie]

I haven't ran one in a while, so I don't really have any backset to work with. I do have Vinegar, or would I be better off with Citric Acid?

[Saltbush Bill]

They all work, from my experience one is not better than another........one is cheaper than the others.