how best to clean a dirty blow off tube

[mbbransc]

As cheap as tubing is, I'm surprised so many ppl go through such efforts to clean it. When mine is too nasty, I toss it and cut a new piece.

 

[unionrdr]

I use PBW and this brush to clean long lengths of tubing; http://www.beveragefactory.com/draftbeer/cleaning/brushes/NHCB38.html

 

[DM3MD157]

I used a keg dip tube brush (similar to the brush in the previous post) and wrapped a small piece of paper towel around the brush part. Pushed it through as far as the wire will go and pulled it out. Repeated on the other end of the tube. Since the brush has stiff bristles it has no problem gripping onto the paper towel on the way in and pulling it out. It cleaned it PERFECTLY!!!

 

[CorporateHippie]

fish tape. That is all.

 

[Jphillips13]

^^^^ this

 

[Malted_hops]

Blowgun attachment on an air compressor, couple foam ear plugs or wadded paper towel, and 90p.s.i.
Problem solved.

 

[unionrdr]

Huh. New use for those dang foam ear plugs! Never thought of that one...:rockin:

 

[oogaboogachiefwalkingdeer]

I just put one of the plastic sabots in mine fill with a little black power and strike a match to it. Problem solved.

 

[unionrdr]

Those long brushes I linked in my last post are now 20% off @ $5.63 for anyone interested. Hey walking deer, did you use black powder or Pyrodex? I still have some sabots laying around from the 50 cal...

 

[alexnova]

My 1/2" line didn't get cleaned after I used it to rack a batch into a keg so it had splotches of mold in it. I soaked it in Star-San for an hour or two, which made the tubing a bit sticky but it rinsed off. I wrapped a wad of paper towel around a 3/8" dowel and pushed it through with help from a skewer since I had more tubing than dowel. Clean as a whistle.

The weighted line with a rag or bit of paper towel on the end sounds like a winner.

As for why bother cleaning it? I had everything I needed to clean it and it took less time and $$ than going to the LHBS for more.