Keg Cleaning?

[cincybrewer]

So I now have 4 new kegs that I need to clean before I use. Can I just use oxiclean and run it through the keg and the beer lines/taps? I know with oxiclean that you really have to rinse it out well so I'm not sure if this will be a problem. After I use oxiclean will flushing the keg and lines with water be enough to properly rinse or should I use some other method of cleaning the kegs?

Thanks!

edit: sorry, I probably should have done a search first. Feel free to ignore this if you want, I can see if I find anything with a search first.

 

[wildwest450]

I always use oxy on my kegs, no rinsing problems. I ONLY use an actual beer line cleaner on the lines, as it's far more effective in removing beerstone.


_

 

[cincybrewer]

Alright, after a bit of research I think I figured out what I want to do but there was just a couple questions that I couldn't find answers to:

1) is it okay to use oxyclean (I bought a knock-off brand) that isn't the unscented type?

2) I bought a couple reconditioned kegs that came with new posts/poppits/o-rings but the keg still had some syrup in it. I was planning on running the oxyclean through the lines, but do you think I'll need to replace the o-rings since they've been on a keg that still has syrup in them?

 

[Misplaced_Canuck]

Don't use the scented stuff. You could end up with off-flavors/aromas.

Just go to the local dollar-store and use the knock-off brand, it's cheap. i think I paid $6 for a good-sized tub.

For the old syrup, fill the keg with 1 scoop of oxyclean, fill up with warm water, let it sit for an hour. Should be all gone.

M_C

Alright, after a bit of research I think I figured out what I want to do but there was just a couple questions that I couldn't find answers to:

1) is it okay to use oxyclean (I bought a knock-off brand) that isn't the unscented type?

2) I bought a couple reconditioned kegs that came with new posts/poppits/o-rings but the keg still had some syrup in it. I was planning on running the oxyclean through the lines, but do you think I'll need to replace the o-rings since they've been on a keg that still has syrup in them?

 

[Yooper]

Yes, you will probably have to replace all the o-rings.


When you clean the kegs, you're not just "running oxyclean though", right? You're going to remove the posts and clean them well anyway, and clean the diptubes, so you might as well put new o-rings on.

Make sure you don't mix up the posts- they are NOT interchangeable! I put my "out" stuff on the right, and the "IN" stuff on the left side of the sink and keep them all seperate!

 

[cincybrewer]

Don't use the scented stuff. You could end up with off-flavors/aromas.

Just go to the local dollar-store and use the knock-off brand, it's cheap. i think I paid $6 for a good-sized tub.

For the old syrup, fill the keg with 1 scoop of oxyclean, fill up with warm water, let it sit for an hour. Should be all gone.

M_C

Okay, perhaps a dumb question, but is just the regular oxyclean scented or unscented? Mine doesn't say it's scented, but I thought the default was scented.

Yes, you will probably have to replace all the o-rings.

When you clean the kegs, you're not just "running oxyclean though", right? You're going to remove the posts and clean them well anyway, and clean the diptubes, so you might as well put new o-rings on.

Make sure you don't mix up the posts- they are NOT interchangeable! I put my "out" stuff on the right, and the "IN" stuff on the left side of the sink and keep them all seperate!

I'm not sure I understand your question? To clean the kegs, I was going to put oxyclean in them, shake it around, and let it sit for a little while. Then run the oxyclean through the lines and the taps. Is this what you mean? I wasn't planning on taking apart the posts and the diptubes on the refurbished kegs. I thought doing an oxyclean soak would take care of this.

The o-rings and posts were all supposed to be brand new, but I guess putting them on while there is still a little syrup in them will ruin them?

 

[stellaontap]

I would take the posts apart too so that you can clean everything really well. It really doesn't take that long and you reduce the chance of off flavours from any left over syrup. I would reuse the orings. I usually lube the orings with oring lube that I bought from Micromatic.

Eric

 

[DocksideBrew]

Am I wrong? But, if you shake a keg with oxyclean let it it sit and run through lines it comes in contact with everything that syrup or past beer has? I used this method seemed to work.

 

[muse435]

The extra 5 min i takes me to disassemble the posts clean and replace just seams like it is not a hassle. You probably could get away without, but you will run the risk of off flavors. Plus with new to you kegs you are assuming someone else took their time to make sure it was clean, i personal prefer to do it myself.

 

[cincybrewer]

Okay. I might as well take the posts apart and clean them. Is there anything required to cleaning posts and orings or do you just throw them in some oxyclean?

 

[muse435]

Okay. I might as well take the posts apart and clean them. Is there anything required to cleaning posts and orings or do you just throw them in some oxyclean?

me personally, I soak them in oxiclean and gently scrub using a green scouring pad, rinse, sanitize, replace. I usually just drop the post in their own separate bowls of oxiclean to make sure i don't mix them up. I just let them soak wile I clean the keg, when the keg is clean then i deal with the posts.

(I think it is taking me longer to reply to this post than actualy cleaning both of the post )

 

[Yooper]

me personally, I soak them in oxiclean and gently scrub using a green scouring pad, rinse, sanitize, replace. I usually just drop the post in their own separate bowls of oxiclean to make sure i don't mix them up. I just let them soak wile I clean the keg, when the keg is clean then i deal with the posts.

(I think it is taking me longer to reply to this post than actually cleaning both of the post )

Yeah, it's fast and doesn't take more than 5 minutes tops. When I've taken off the posts, I've found hop debris and other crud in the poppits and in the dip tube. Just putting cleaner through it doesn't do the trick, and I wonder why that would be a shortcut to take. We're all so scrupulous with our cleaning and sanitizing- why wouldn't someone take 5 minutes to take out the crud out of their posts? That just seems odd to me.

Remember than cleaning and sanitizing and two separate steps. You can't sanitize something that's not clean. Debris and sludge can't be sanitized.

 

[cincybrewer]

Thanks for all the answers. I figured it'd be pretty easy I just wanted to make sure I know exactly what I should do prior to my first time kegging. I'm sure after I do the whole process once it will be a breeze.

 

[MoronBrothersBrewery]

So, when cleaning 4 kegs at the same time, can you dump all parts (gas in/liquid out post, dip tubes, poppet valves, lids, etc.) in oxi-clean, and then mix and match with different kegs? or do you have to seperate all parts for each keg individually, making sure not mix parts?

 

[wildwest450]

So, when cleaning 4 kegs at the same time, can you dump all parts (gas in/liquid out post, dip tubes, poppet valves, lids, etc.) in oxi-clean, and then mix and match with different kegs? or do you have to seperate all parts for each keg individually, making sure not mix parts?

You may be asking for trouble doing that. I just disassemble the keg, and throw the post's and diptubes in the bottom and fill with oxy and hot water.

_

 

[muse435]

So, when cleaning 4 kegs at the same time, can you dump all parts (gas in/liquid out post, dip tubes, poppet valves, lids, etc.) in oxi-clean, and then mix and match with different kegs? or do you have to seperate all parts for each keg individually, making sure not mix parts?

I have heard that this can lead to leaks in you keg. In theory it should work, but if none of ur kegs leak, I would recomend not mixxxing and matching. Just mu oppinion tho.

 

[Bandit]

If you suspect any of the Kegs had been used for Rootbeer, you definitely should replace the o-rings.

 

[Bombo80]

I clean my kegs one at a time. The reason for this, is I havethree different styles of kegs and don't want to take the chance of putting the posts on the wrong kegs. I disassemble the posts, and soak them in oxyclean. Then put more of the oxyclean solution in the keg and I have a dedicated long handle scrub brush that I use so I can reach all the way to the bottom, and scrub all the way around and work my way to the top. I also make sure I clean the inside top vary well. I ran into an issue on one batch were I didn't, and I missed some gunk and wound up getting an infected batch. The only batch I have ever had to dump.
Once I have the keg all scrubbed, I rinse it really well with hot water and then spray it down with sanitizer. I then start the finish cleaning of the dip tubes and posts. After I rinse everything, I spray it down liberally with iodophor (sanitizer) and start the reassembly. I have replaced all the o-rings on all of my kegs now. They should be good for a long time.
Cleaning and proper sanitation goes along way to always having a good brew in the end. (as long as you have a good recipe) LOL

 

[MooMooBrew]

I do kegs one at a time, kegs that are new to me i do a full o ring replacement, rinse and put on my DIY keg cleaner for 15 min with a PBW solution, gets in all the nooks and crannies. Rinse again and sanitize. gets rid of all the soda smell and ensures proper sanitation.

 

[terrapinj]

is there anything that should/can be used to clean out the dip tube? or does running water after a soak generally get the debris etc out?

 

[muse435]

is there anything that should/can be used to clean out the dip tube? or does running water after a soak generally get the debris etc out?

I have only soaked and rinsed thus far. But I have a brush designed to clean the tub of my hookah, I think I will use it on my next bath, but I have not had any issues thus far. IMHO I would not spend any money on a brush unless you can see debris in the tube, otherwise soaking w/ oxiclean "should" be enough.

 

[cincybrewer]

is there anything that should/can be used to clean out the dip tube? or does running water after a soak generally get the debris etc out?

http://www.austinhomebrew.com/product_info.php?products_id=915

works for me.