Eradicating Bugs Previously Used Wild Keg

[jmhbutler]

Hi everyone,

I have a sanke keg I've been using for some time for mixed fermentation beers, both bacteria and brett.

I've since decided to change my wild tap to a corny keg, and would like to pass on the 20L sanke to my father to use on his clean taps.

I need to completely sterilize any brett/bacteria bugs that might be hanging around to avoid contaminating his gear. Any suggestions?

Thoughts:

Autoclave rubber gasket
Extended bleach soak
Extended starsan soak

 

[crane]

You can get replacement o-rings from McMaster. I have the part number if you need it.

The one difficult piece will be the rubber seal in the center of the spear. I would recommend completely disassembling the spear to get that piece out so it can be completely cleaned or replaced. I have done this several times. Turn the spear upside down and set it on something. I use channel locks to press on the inner assembly to compress the spring. Once the spring is compressed you can rotate the 2 pieces until they come apart.

As for cleaning I would try to replace it if possible. I'm sure somebody out there sells a replacement. If you can find one for sale there are lots of homebrewers out there with extra Spears lying around from making keggles. You can probably find someone to send you one.

[edit] looks like these weren't easy to locate back in 2012. Might have better luck now.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=327213

 

[jmhbutler]

So I have a commercial keg owned by Sleeman that I need to return to the Beerstore that has only touched clean beer. Maybe I'll just swap around all the plastics - they use more caustic cleaners that should kill the brett.

As for the metal, what do you recommend?

Should I soak the keg for a day or two in starsan? Maybe bake the spear in the oven?

 

[crane]

As for the metal, what do you recommend?

Should I soak the keg for a day or two in starsan? Maybe bake the spear in the oven?

A soak in starsan should be sufficient for stainless steel.

 

[Double_D]

PBW would do a good job of cleaning out the beer stone left inside. That's really the part that harbors bacteria, not the metal.

 

[jmhbutler]

Does anybody know if autoclaving in the pressure cooker will work on plastics/rubbers?

If so, why can't I just steam sterilize the rubber components rather then sterilizing them?