Cleaning corny kegs

[SMD]

I just picked up two corny kegs off Craigslist for $35 each, which I thought was a steal. However, the previous owner apparently left some beer in them for what he believed was “a few years”. I opened them up and one just smelled like IPA, but the other had some funk to it, like gym locker socks n sweats or how you might imagine the toxic avenger would smell.

Short of soap and water, which I’m doing now, any recommendations as far as how to thoroughly clean out these stanky kegs?

I can’t take the posts off yet- I don’t have the right size sockets- which I will pick up tomorrow. I already planned on replacing O rings, but should I just replace all the post hardware?

 

[day_trippr]

Certainly, an initial blow-out (I'd do it outdoors with a hose given the description), then total disassembly is called for. Toss the O-rings (all five for each keg). Inspect the poppets for nicks or cracks or just general "dried out" character and replace as necessary. Then soak all of the loose metal bits in a small vessel using something like hot Oxyclean Free; use the same solution to soak the kegs and the long diptubes. Then scrub everything to within an inch of their lives - including the inside of the dip tubes, followed by a good rinse.

Reassemble with fresh O-rings, preferably lightly lubricated with silicone grease ("keg lube", which can be found as "plumber's grease" in the DIY stores).
Pressure test and fix anything found and you should be good to go...

Cheers!

 

[Joeywhat]

An oxygen based cleaner (I use PBW) is generally better than dish soap. It's easier to clean it all out, dish soap has a tendency to stick around after rinsing.

I deep clean my kegs in the shower. After dumping the contents and maybe rinsing off anything big that's hanging out inside I'll fill one keg about halfway and mix in my PBW. I'll also completely disassemble it prior to washing, all the posts and lid and dip tubes take a soak in a bowl for a while. I use a toilet bowl scrubber to clean the insides and outsides of the kegs, it's long enough to reach the bottom of the kegs. I'll clean the keg with the wash inside it first, then dump it into the next keg and continue. I use the brush to clean the inside really well, and also scrub the outside down. I'm rarely super worried about the outside beyond the top where the posts connect. If the insides are real nasty ill let them soak for a bit then scrub away.

Once they're clean I dump them and rinse them well, then store them upside down in the shower for a few hours to drain/dry. I also usually spray down my shower with bleach cleaner before doing this as well just to make sure (and rinse really well).

For super nasty legs they might need to soak overnight. Make sure they're filled enough to cover whatever is stuck to the sides.

 

[FloppyKnockers]

Keg cleaning is my jam! When I get a dirty one from CL or neglect mine for too long, this is what I do...

fill the keg with hot water and an overdose of Oxy-Clean. Make sure to hit the poppets when it's full to let some of the goodness up the dip tube.
I will let this sit for a day or so. Longer if it's real funktified.
Dump out the cleaner.
Remove dip tubes and run a dip tube brush through them. I've got this one.
Next I will scrub the inside. I have tried several things, but have found that a Mother's Powerball and a bit extension on a drill does the job perfectly.
To rinse it I will grab one of these jobbies and flip the keg over it so it sprays inside. Turn the sprinkler on and let it go for a couple minutes.
Lube or replace the O-rings and reassemble.
Bob's you uncle, Joe's your neighbor, and Phil is a beer mooch.

 

[TheBluePhantom]

Why does everyone count 5 o rings to a keg, I count 8, poppets and prv have orings. (TBH, not sure what the pinlock prv looks like) I replace those when reringing a keg too.

Dont throw out posts, they are stainless. The rubber is the only concern, clean the stainless with PBW or equivalent, scrubbing if necessary. I use Marks kegwasher, warm PBW and give it 30 minutes. Pull posts and tubes for cleaning and soak them, brush out the tubes, inspect all. Avoid bleach, it pits stainless.

 

[day_trippr]

I have 16 old school ball lock kegs, most of them are likely older than the average HBTer.
They all still have original oem style poppets, which in the history of cornelius kegs never had serviceable "O-rings".
They also have pull-ring PRVs, which, again, do not and never did have serviceable "O-rings".

So...five...

Cheers!

 

[TheBluePhantom]

If they are the something like these

they are serviceable, just a little more difficult. to pull out of the post.

 

[Imhoppy]

If they are the something like these
View attachment 721780
they are serviceable, just a little more difficult. to pull out of the post.

Is there way to remove these from the posts? If so, what works the best? I can't see a way to remove mine, if it is even possible without damaging them. Thanks.

 

[day_trippr]

On most of my oem poppets, the rubber "crown" has a molded-on sleeve that extends deep down.
It's nothing like an "O-ring", and there's no practical way to replace it...

Cheers!

 

[TheBluePhantom]

On most of my oem poppets, the rubber "crown" has a molded-on sleeve that extends deep down.
It's nothing like an "O-ring", and there's no practical way to replace it...

OK, now I remember that one. The term crown triggered a memory, I had one, but it was cracking, I replaced with a newer o ring style, You are right, since mine was cracked I kept trying and destroyed it, they are not replaceable as an o ring.

 

[TheBluePhantom]

Is there way to remove these from the posts? If so, what works the best? I can't see a way to remove mine, if it is even possible without damaging them. Thanks.

Some people punch them out, I am not that brave. I use a dental pick and pop the legs off of the ledge one by one. after a while you get the hang of it, get a good pick though. Once they are out, you twist the legs to line the little nub up with the slot and they slide apart, You can get a bag of 100 epdm FDA rated o rings on amazon for about $8