Another Keg/Carboy Cleaner

I threw together a keg and carboy cleaner this morning and figured I would share.

Parts:
1 x Smartpond 300-500gph Fountain Pump (Lowes)
2 x 5 gallon paint buckets (Lowes)
18" Loc-line (McMaster)
1 x Loc-line 1/2 male connector (McMaster)
1 x Loc-line Nozzle (McMaster)
((Note: PVC/Copper would work instead of the Loc-line, I had it laying around and I love the stuff because I can angle it.))

Tools:
Power Drill
1 1/4" Hole Saw
3/8" Drill Bit (size can vary)

Procedure:
1. Drill 1 1/4" hole near the top of one bucket. The power cord for the pump will go through here so that the buckets sit one inside the other.

2. Attach Loc-line to pump using 1/2" connector.

3. Inset pump into bucket with hole and center the output of the pump in the bucket. Feed power cord through the previously drilled hole.

4. Set bucket with pump aside.

5. Drill 1 1/4" hole in center of second bucket. This is where the Loc-line will go.

6. Drill several 3/8" (or whatever size you want) holes in the bottom of the bucket to allow water to drain back into the pump bucket.

7. Place second bucket inside of first feeding Loc-line through the hole in the center.

8. Fill with water and cleaner of choice. Place item to be cleaned over the nozzle (carboys are supported by the bucket, kegs should have the disconnects removed to allow for better drainage.)

9. Plug it in and watch your new fountain.

Note:

I would not recommend a smaller pump than the 300-500 gph. It does not produce very much water pressure.

Future expansion:

I'm heading to the LHBS to get some extra QDs so I can pump cleaner through the keg that way too. Should be a good way to sanitize/clean kegs easily.

And now for the real explanation.

I like the design. Simple, creative, easy to obtain the parts. I assume the whole purpose of the second bucket is to stabilize the loc-line and prevent it from drifting due to the pump bouncing around?

BBL_Brewer said:

I assume the whole purpose of the second bucket is to stabilize the loc-line and prevent it from drifting due to the pump bouncing around?

Click to expand...

Actually the hole second bucket fits right over the output of the pump, so it doesn't go anywhere. The real purpose of the second bucket is to provide a flat surface for cornies to sit on and it stabilizes the carboys as well. I've seen people do the same with lids, but the buckets are $3 at Lowes so I figured what the heck.

I may also add some sort of screen on the second bucket to keep from recirculating nasty stuff (technical term), but I will see if that is even an issue.

A filter would probably be a good idea....good thinkin