Keg cleaning frequency - how often for a full breakdown?

[itsnotrequired]

Do you have a build thread on your cleaner? Or can you give us some better pictures?

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showpost.php?p=7588357&postcount=278

 

[TorMag]

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showpost.php?p=7588357&postcount=278

Cool thanks. Does the cleaner solution actually get pushed up the tubes to through the quick connects, seems with the 90 degree turn, not much would get pushed up that way and all the pressure would just go straight up the main pipe...

 

[itsnotrequired]

Cool thanks. Does the cleaner solution actually get pushed up the tubes to through the quick connects, seems with the 90 degree turn, not much would get pushed up that way and all the pressure would just go straight up the main pipe...

i can't say with absolute certainty how well it flows through the dip tubes but that pump throws off some pretty gnarly pressure, i'd be amazed if not of it was making it through the tubes. should be easy to test though, i have some of those post-to-post jumpers from brewhardware, i'll just hook those up to the ends of the disconnect when washing a carboy and see how much stuff flies out of them.

 

[TorMag]

i can't say with absolute certainty how well it flows through the dip tubes but that pump throws off some pretty gnarly pressure, i'd be amazed if not of it was making it through the tubes. should be easy to test though, i have some of those post-to-post jumpers from brewhardware, i'll just hook those up to the ends of the disconnect when washing a carboy and see how much stuff flies out of them.

Let us know, I am curious to know.

 

[augiedoggy]

Lets say you don't break down the keg to component level each and every time it kicks. There is a major place you can develop issues...the dip tube.

I fill keg with hot water and PBW. Take a blunt object like the cap of a ball point pen and depress the poppet on the liquid out. Gravity will force down on the cleaner and you'll see cleaner come out of the poppet. You'll know you have cleaner in your dip tube by doing this.

When you clean and rinse your keg, leave keg empty and depress that same poppet, now the contents of the dip tube will drain back into the keg so you have cleaned the dip tube which is an area often overlooked that can harbor infection. Rinse well, same steps apply for starsan if you choose to sanitize which is recommended.

Thats why I put my keg under pressure with starsan in it and flush the starsan through both poppets... anywhere the beer can come in contact with anything so will the starsan..I usually leave the keg upside down with the starsan in it while I'm prepping other stuff. (again I keep the solids out of my kegs and dont put hops in them so YMMV) It flushes the diptubes clean and when I drain the keg I depress the poppet again to drain the diptube.. if I forget I just get starsan coming out for a spilt second when pouring my first pint. It doesnt hurt anything.. dont fear the foam! Your not supposed to rinse the starsan actually.. It can defeat the purpose.

 

[Weezy]

I give them a simple cleaning everytime and every second batch gets a tear down and thorough clean.

Simple cleaning is rinse out, warm pbw and hand scrubbed inside, dump, rinse twice with water.

Thorough cleaning is as above but with Stan filling and purge with co2. Before that, All the little bits get washed in warm pbw by hand then put into a pot of near boiling water to sanitize for twenty minutes.

 

[itsnotrequired]

thats why I put my keg under pressure with starsan in it and flush the starsan through both poppets... anywhere the beer can come in contact with anything so will the starsan..I usually leave the keg upside down with the starsan in it while I'm prepping other stuff. (again I keep the solids out of my kegs and dont put hops in them so YMMV) It flushes the diptubes clean and when I drain the keg I depress the poppet again to drain the diptube.. if I forget I just get starsan coming out for a spilt second when pouring my first pint. It doesnt hurt anything.. dont fear the foam!

i do this when i go to fill a keg (10 gallon batches so i need two kegs). fill a keg with cold tap water, add an ounce of starsan, shake it a bit and let it sit for a few minutes upside down (lid on, of course). flip over and use co2 to push beer out into a second keg, pushing liquid out through the liquid dip tube and filling the second keg through the liquid line from the bottom up. this approach ensure starsan gets everywhere. bottom-filling ensures minimal foaming. i made a special hose with a liquid ball disconnect on each end for this purpose. plus i just purged the keq with co2.

now i let that second keg sit upside down for a few minutes and then push that out through the liquid line with co2 into a bucket. i use one of those jumper posts from brewhardware on the disconnect that sits in the bucket. i save that bucket of starsan and use it over the next several weeks when sanitizing flasks for starters, sanitizing carboys before dumping in wort, etc. i then dump that bucket of starsan out when i'm ready to keg the next batch.

 

[StewMakesBrew]

If you're in a hurry, you can refill a dirty keg no problem. I would NEVER do that, though, if that keg had been opened. I have opened an empty keg, closed it again, and a week later found bad infection at the bottom.

I have a lot of kegs, so I usually clean them and put them away until needed. Cleaning DOES involve a full breakdown. So easy really. I soak the posts and poppets short dip tube for 10 minutes in starsan and put them back on. Long dip tube just gets hosed out. Keg gets a quick scrub, hosed, then I put a 1/4 cup of starsan solution in there and after reassembly I shake it up. Ready for service whenever I need it later. I usually wait till I have 2 or 3 kicked kegs before I clean them. Don't open them until it's cleaning time!

BTW, there is a sweet tool you can get at Sears that will spin off posts of differnt sizes. No more socket driver. Makes it a breeze. If anyone needs this info, quote this post and I'll post the info.

Would love to know what tool it is! Please share!

 

[schatzke]

I used to break them down after it would kick but then...I got lazy. Now when a keg kicks I dump the sludge and hit it with hot water, shake and dump a time or 2. Add about a gal of star san and push most of it out and put the keg away sealed up with a little stan san in there.

 

[augiedoggy]

Would love to know what tool it is! Please share!

I wonder if its the "as seen on tv" socket with the little spring loaded pins inside to conform to any size nut or post... I have one myself I though about using but I cant find the damn thing.
\
I just googled it now and sears came up as one of the sellers.

http://www.sears.com/gator-grips-un...bxZvM4B5oyzFLAi-nuS9EhoC11Xw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

ebay has them too for as little as $5 with shipping.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-4-3-4-Gat...120178?hash=item4896f27ff2:g:W6gAAOSwXYtYwMJu

 

[TexasWine]

This is perhaps one of the best investments I've made for kegging.

https://www.morebeer.com/products/m...pgQgWiiCRCv5auLt9_f0Mc0MIMv49ReLtOxoCQ5vw_wcB

I built a keg washer but never use it because of this tool. My process is to open the keg, connect this rinser, shake it around a bit, then turn the keg upside down and let it run for a minute or so. Then turn it right side up, add a scoop of homemade PBW, fill to the brim, disconnect, and press the liquid poppet to get cleaner in the dip tube. I'll let the keg sit like this anywhere from 15 minutes to a month.

When it's time to use the keg, I dump to cleaning solution, reconnect the rinser, shake and dump a couple of times, turn the keg upside and let it run again for a minute or so, disconnect the rinser, and low and behold I have a sparkling clean keg. Every so often I might have some gunk I need to rub with a rag, but usually only in the kegs I ferment in.

I very, very rarely take apart my posts since adopting this practice. Actually, I can't say I've disassembled them in over a year now unless I had one that developed a leak. This rinser does a fantastic job of keeping everything super clean and it's a cinch to use. Bears repeating, one of the best brewery investments I've made.

 

[TorMag]

This is perhaps one of the best investments I've made for kegging.

https://www.morebeer.com/products/m...pgQgWiiCRCv5auLt9_f0Mc0MIMv49ReLtOxoCQ5vw_wcB

I built a keg washer but never use it because of this tool. My process is to open the keg, connect this rinser, shake it around a bit, then turn the keg upside down and let it run for a minute or so. Then turn it right side up, add a scoop of homemade PBW, fill to the brim, disconnect, and press the liquid poppet to get cleaner in the dip tube. I'll let the keg sit like this anywhere from 15 minutes to a month.

When it's time to use the keg, I dump to cleaning solution, reconnect the rinser, shake and dump a couple of times, turn the keg upside and let it run again for a minute or so, disconnect the rinser, and low and behold I have a sparkling clean keg. Every so often I might have some gunk I need to rub with a rag, but usually only in the kegs I ferment in.

I very, very rarely take apart my posts since adopting this practice. Actually, I can't say I've disassembled them in over a year now unless I had one that developed a leak. This rinser does a fantastic job of keeping everything super clean and it's a cinch to use. Bears repeating, one of the best brewery investments I've made.

That is a brilliant piece of equipment. Now on my list.

 

[Auger]

Would love to know what tool it is! Please share!

I dunno what passed had in mind, but there's this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FRO0EMC/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

which would probably work for ball lock posts, but I don't think it would fit over the pins on a pin lock post. There's a larger size that might, but it's quite a bit more expensive:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B013E0T49A/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[Bmoney1215]

i do every batch. break down the poppets, pull the dip tube and run a 22 caliber cleaning rod with a cotton patch down the tube. this is after a soak with pbw. i then rinse it really good using a cotton rag to wash down the sides and then a soak in sanitizer and a drip dry. then on the day of kegging i soak the whole thing in sanitizer again and blow a quart or so through the whole system under pressure and let it drip dry while for a bit before kegging.

Great idea with the .22 im going to start to do that!

 

[passedpawn]

Please share! I picked up some more corny kegs and the posts are a slightly different size than my other ones. So having one tool that works for multiple sizes would be great to have in my brew toolbox.

It fits on both size posts, makes quick work of them. I keep it in my kegging bin (with all the extra seals).

Craftsman 11/16 x 7/8 in. Wrench, Ratcheting Box-End
| Sears Item# 00942165000 | Model# 42165

 

[Morrey]

a scoop of homemade PBW.

TexasWine, do you mind sharing your formula for homemade PBW? The real deal is pretty expensive as you obviously know. Thanks!

 

[sbartelski]

TexasWine, do you mind sharing your formula for homemade PBW? The real deal is pretty expensive as you obviously know. Thanks!

Probably sodium percarbonate (10 lbs $25 Amazon), PBW also has metasilicate, but that is a more dangerous substance, difficult to find I hear. It may also have sodium carbonate. Percarbonate and carbonate = Oxy Clean and is similar to BLC. Just Google, you will find a number of recipes.

 

[TexasWine]

TexasWine, do you mind sharing your formula for homemade PBW? The real deal is pretty expensive as you obviously know. Thanks!

It's easy peasy to make. Not my recipe though!

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=467655

 

[Saxon]

It's easy peasy to make. Not my recipe though!

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=467655

I can second this stuff, works great for me.

 

[pshankstar]

It fits on both size posts, makes quick work of them. I keep it in my kegging bin (with all the extra seals).



Craftsman 11/16 x 7/8 in. Wrench, Ratcheting Box-End

| Sears Item# 00942165000 | Model# 42165

Awesome thanks bud!! Cheers!

 

[augiedoggy]

I dunno what passed had in mind, but there's this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FRO0EMC/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

which would probably work for ball lock posts, but I don't think it would fit over the pins on a pin lock post. There's a larger size that might, but it's quite a bit more expensive:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B013E0T49A/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Thats funny I had the same though a page earlier in the thread..
I have the actual wrench he pictured but never tried it myself for this since I assumed the pins would be in the way.

 

[passedpawn]

Thats funny I had the same though a page earlier in the thread..
I have the actual wrench he pictured but never tried it myself for this since I assumed the pins would be in the way.

I have the large gator bite thing in my toolbox. Never thought about using it for the posts, but then I have that other tool. (truth is, I've never used it once )

 

[Morrey]

It's easy peasy to make. Not my recipe though!

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=467655

Thanks!

My shopping list is:

*Sun Oxygen Cleaner
*Red Devil TSP 90
*Seventh Generation Dishwashing Powder

Does anyone have a recommended place I can find these items?

 

[passedpawn]

Thanks!

My shopping list is:

*Sun Oxygen Cleaner
*Red Devil TSP 90
*Seventh Generation Dishwashing Powder

Does anyone have a recommended place I can find these items?

It's all in that thread. Home Depot has TSP in the paint dept (if your area forbids it, you might only find TSP-PF, which has no phosphates). Target and Walmart for the other two items. I don't use the laundry detergent - I just use citric acid (vitamin stores probably carry).

 

[Morrey]

It's all in that thread. Home Depot has TSP in the paint dept (if your area forbids it, you might only find TSP-PF, which has no phosphates). Target and Walmart for the other two items.

Great! I saw about Target, so interestingly enough, I'll need to go to 3 separate stores to pick up one item at each. We have an ACE Hardware locally that has a 4Lb bag of Red Devil TSP/90. Off shopping we go......

 

[EcuPirate07]

Thanks!

My shopping list is:

*Sun Oxygen Cleaner
*Red Devil TSP 90
*Seventh Generation Dishwashing Powder

Does anyone have a recommended place I can find these items?

Amazon and prime

 

[Dcpcooks]

Now you have me worried.



I rinse thoroughly, fill with a gallon of hot water and PBW, shake vigorously, run 1/2 through the tap, rinse and repeat with hot Starsan.



What am I missing?

Star SAN should be cool or lukewarm but not hot.
Mug

 

[TexasWine]

Thanks!

My shopping list is:

*Sun Oxygen Cleaner
*Red Devil TSP 90
*Seventh Generation Dishwashing Powder

Does anyone have a recommended place I can find these items?

Got all mine on the Zon with Prime shipping.

Earth Friendly Products Oxo-Brite, Non-Chlorine Powder Bleach, 3.2 Pounds (Pack of 2) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004TF9530/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Red Devil 0265 TSP 90 Heavy Duty Cleaner, 4-Pound https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015WT148/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Seventh Generation, Free & Clear Auto Dish Powder 75 Ounces https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0004JKJ08/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20