How to Clean a Jockey Box?????

abnatare · 04-13-2009, 04:47 PM

Hello, I am new to homebrewing and new to this forum. I tried to do a search but came up with nothing so I am hoping you all can help me out. I have a Jockey Box with aluminum tubing in it (at least I assume it aluminum and will need to confirm its not SS when I get home tonight).

I went clean it and flushed the line with some cleaner and then lots of clean water. Now my question is how to get the residual water out of the line. I flushed CO2 through it and water spurted out but my concern is there is still water in there and I don't want to waste a whole tank of CO2 to get it out. I thought of taking out the coil and turning it upside down over night and it would drain naturally but when it took it out I noticed it does not have enough of a slant to let all water flow downward out of both sides of the coils. Next thought would be to heat it and let the water evaporate but I am a little worried that may weaken the aluminum over time so I have not tried that option.

**bad coffee** · 04-13-2009, 05:23 PM

Welcome to the board.

I'd just push some starsan through it and call it a day.

How long will you be storing it before you use it again? If it's not going to be a long time, let it go, then just dump the first beer through the line. If it's gonna be months, then I'd definitely sanitize.

B

lustreking · 04-13-2009, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abnatare

I went clean it and flushed the line with some cleaner and then lots of clean water. Now my question is how to get the residual water out of the line.

There's always the RDWHAHB option.

craigbrew · 04-13-2009, 06:30 PM

I have had a jockey box for along time 6yr. When I'm done using it I just run clean water through it till it has no more beer in it. Then I take my air compressor and force air through it and get as much water out as possible. When you go to use it again the first pitcher will have water in it. I just pour a pitcher and discard it. Happy drinking.

abnatare · 04-13-2009, 06:49 PM

I'm afraid to ask what the RDWHAHB option is.........

abnatare · 04-13-2009, 06:51 PM

Craigbrew and bad coffee thanks for the info. I plan to use it again in about a month then after that it may be 2-3 months. Its good to know the water sitting in it will not hurt anything or cause any contamination.

Cookiebaggs · 04-13-2009, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abnatare

I'm afraid to ask what the RDWHAHB option is.........

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**kornkob** · 04-13-2009, 07:36 PM

I also strongly encourage you to sanitize the inside of the icebox before storage. The funk that can build up from long term damp storage miht never touch yoru beer but it can get pretty rank.

You do not want people to associate 'smells dank and mildewy' with your fine crafted brews.

abnatare · 04-14-2009, 06:11 PM

Thanks. That is a simple clean at this point. This is all kinda overwhelming for a new brewer but you guys are all making it a lot easier. next up is searching filtration but not for a while.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kornkob

I also strongly encourage you to sanitize the inside of the icebox before storage. The funk that can build up from long term damp storage miht never touch yoru beer but it can get pretty rank.

You do not want people to associate 'smells dank and mildewy' with your fine crafted brews.