Beer Equiment Vs. Root Beer Extract

digdan · 07-15-2006, 03:30 AM

My LHBS owner told me that anything that my rootbeer touches can not be used for brewing beer. I find this hard to believe, specially for the stainless steel corny kegs. I could possibly see this being true for the beer line from the corny to my Blichman Beer Gun, but I'm sure if I flush it out immediatly, or clean it with PBW it should be fine. And how exactly would it contaminate? color? sugar? taste?

Anyone got 2 cents on this?

clayof2day · 07-15-2006, 03:41 AM

I've heard that a dedicated set of root beer O-Rings is all the corny needs, but the keg should be fine to use

**david_42** · 07-15-2006, 03:42 AM

Root beer and Dr. Pepper, these two flavors seem to soak into anything rubber, like o-rings & poppet valves. I haven't noticed any problem in poly beer lines that BLC or PBW can't solve, but o-rings you're talking replacement. SS? I don't want to meet that root in a dark alley!

**johnsma22** · 07-15-2006, 04:50 AM

I agree with what the others have said. It is only the keg o-rings that will absorb the odor of root beer, and to a lesser degree, the quick disconnects. I have found that an overnight soak in BLC with remove the odor. Don't forget the faucet also has some o-rings in it. Have a Perlick that is dedicated to soda. As far as the S.S. keg is concerned, you may very well have a keg that was used for root beer in the past.

John

Desert_Sky · 07-15-2006, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by david_42

Root beer and Dr. Pepper, these two flavors seem to soak into anything rubber, like o-rings & poppet valves.

OT:

Well is was going to replace them anyways, but this is good to know. I just scored a nice red corny full of Dr. Pepper.