Clean-In-Place Keg Posts

[JohnSand]

I bought two "loose handle" kegs from AIH. The handles were loose at some time, but they've been glued back. The glue overflowed and glued the posts down too. I managed to remove one out post. The gas in has a star shaped nut. Per HBT, I tried a twelve point 7/8" socket. No good, just rounded off the nut. I don't want to apply oil or heat, lest it be damaged or contaminated but not removed. My thought now is to fill the keg partway with very hot water and soap or PBW, then drain through the in post with a QD. Any reason I shouldn't? Anyone else succeeded cleaning posts in place?

 

[m00ps]

Its not recommended, but I clean my posts in place like 2/3 of the time. I empty the keg, rinse several times, then put in starsan, shake, pressurize, and run it through out the liquid post until it runs dry.

Every 3 or so fills, I entirely disassemble the keg and dunk all the parts

 

[Howhownow]

I rarely (read: almost, almost never) disassemble to clean kegs. Only when getting fresh o-rings.
My process is, once the keg kicks:
- Rinse (I don't even scrub) and fill to the top with oxy at about 1/2 scoop/ 5 gal. I then hook up the gas and tap the liquid post until a little oxy squirts out. this ensures the dip tube is full.
- Let that sit 24 hrs .Don't want to go much more, oxy will eventually pit the metal.
- Pour out, rinse, I wipe with a soft brush quickly to ensure it's all out.
- refill with star san and store until it's time to fill.

Kegs come out clean every time, never had a single issue.

 

[JohnSand]

Good to know, thanks. This keg wants a little more attention, since it was last used for soda, possibly years ago. But if it works for you, and because I have no other options, I will forge ahead. Thanks again.

 

[BetterSense]

Whenever I want to clean something without disassembling and scrubbing it, I use lye. Does anyone know if lye is bad for orings? My lye technique might not work for kegs if it kills the poppets or something.

 

[JohnSand]

I don't know. But lye is a part of many soaps, so it can't be too bad watered down. I don't know what concentration would be effective and safe. I used PBW at the recommended 3/4oz per gallon ratio for keg cleaning in place.

 

[snoman6115]

I would use a torch and maybe melt the glue. If you ruin the o rings so what, you gotta replace them anyways. It won't hurt the keg at all. Heat makes stainless tougher

 

[dkennedy]

I made a keg cleaning rig from a pond pump, usually just push cleaner from a pail into the keg, empty that initial flush out, then fill the keg ~1/4 full and recirculate that from the keg up through the liquid port for 15 minutes or so. This is after an overnight soak.

Repeat with rinse water, then sanitizer. Mostly just because I like not having to take stuff apart .

 

[JohnSand]

Thanks DK.

 

[JohnSand]

In case anyone ever reads this thread, I finally used a torch to melt the glue, and also melted some of the rubber. A tire iron through the handles held the keg while I used a wrench to remove the posts. I bought spare posts and rings in advance.

 

[mattd2]

Whenever I want to clean something without disassembling and scrubbing it, I use lye. Does anyone know if lye is bad for orings? My lye technique might not work for kegs if it kills the poppets or something.

Depends what rubber/plastic - http://www.coleparmer.com/Chemical-Resistance
Buna-N (Nitrile) = Good
Silicone = Good (under 120°F)
Viton/FKM = Fair/Poor (not recommended)
EPDM = ok

Nylon = good
PP = good
Ryton = good

Use the link for a better understanding