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.

Weight	0.1 Kilograms
Units	1892.7 millilitre
Brand	Five Star
Format	Liquid

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Five Star PBW, 4 lbs

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