Keg cleaning methods/products
  • C_BC_B
    Posts: 88,439
    Let's talk about keg sanitation. Not the normal rotation when you float one and are going to refill in a couple days or a week. I'm talking about those couple extra kegs you got from a buddy that haven't opened them since he blew the last one 2 years ago and stopped brewing.

    I have 10 kegs. Some are "clean". Some I haven't used from when I bought them on Craigslist. With the infection I've been having issues with, nothing can be trusted.
    I think they're going to get all new rubber, is that necessary? Is there something I should look for to indicate new rubber is needed?

    What is your go-to cleaning method on suspect kegs, the nuclear option?
    PBW? Oxy? Bleach (no soak)?
    Star San soak/splash/wash to finish before sealing up empty?
    "On it. I hate software." ~Cpt Snarklepants
  • FuzzyFuzzy
    Posts: 49,655
    boil everything that can be boiled.
    The pinnacle of lame and awesome in one singular moment. -Lake
  • C_BC_B
    Posts: 88,439
    FromZwolle said:

    boil everything that can be boiled.



    Can I boil the o-rings? That's probably pretty cheap. I'll just replace the rubber components.
    "On it. I hate software." ~Cpt Snarklepants
  • FuzzyFuzzy
    Posts: 49,655
    C_B said:

    FromZwolle said:

    boil everything that can be boiled.



    Can I boil the o-rings? That's probably pretty cheap. I'll just replace the rubber components.


    you can. but replacement ring sets are only about $4.
    The pinnacle of lame and awesome in one singular moment. -Lake
  • C_BC_B
    Posts: 88,439
    FromZwolle said:

    C_B said:

    FromZwolle said:

    boil everything that can be boiled.



    Can I boil the o-rings? That's probably pretty cheap. I'll just replace the rubber components.


    you can. but replacement ring sets are only about $4.

    I have 10 kegs. Replacement is still worth it I think.
    "On it. I hate software." ~Cpt Snarklepants
  • FuzzyFuzzy
    Posts: 49,655
    C_B said:

    FromZwolle said:

    C_B said:

    FromZwolle said:

    boil everything that can be boiled.



    Can I boil the o-rings? That's probably pretty cheap. I'll just replace the rubber components.


    you can. but replacement ring sets are only about $4.

    I have 10 kegs. Replacement is still worth it I think.

    why in the world does someone that brews twice a year need ten kegs!!!!!

    BenS
    The pinnacle of lame and awesome in one singular moment. -Lake
  • C_BC_B
    Posts: 88,439
    FromZwolle said:

    C_B said:

    FromZwolle said:

    C_B said:

    FromZwolle said:

    boil everything that can be boiled.



    Can I boil the o-rings? That's probably pretty cheap. I'll just replace the rubber components.


    you can. but replacement ring sets are only about $4.

    I have 10 kegs. Replacement is still worth it I think.

    why in the world does someone that brews twice a year need ten kegs!!!!!


    I used to brew more. And I'm a hoarder. If I can get this infection thing under control I have ~ 100 gallons of aging capacity between kegs and carboys.
    "On it. I hate software." ~Cpt Snarklepants
  • JayrizzleJayrizzle
    Posts: 90,049
    Does a keg fit in your kettle? Heat is the best way to kill everything.
    "I don't have TP, but I do have ammo."
    -Some guy in Ohio
  • JayrizzleJayrizzle
    Posts: 90,049
    FromZwolle said:

    boil everything that can be boiled.



    This, but think bigger, steam works too.
    "I don't have TP, but I do have ammo."
    -Some guy in Ohio
  • CurlyFatCurlyFat
    Posts: 71,622
    Dr_Jerryrigger said:

    Does a keg fit in your kettle? Heat is the best way to kill everything.



    I kinda did this once. Keg in my 15g brew kettle. Boiled like mad (on a cooling rack set in the bottom so I didn't burn the rubber bottom.) Then I turned it upside down and repeated.

    That keg is still sitting there all sealed up and I have no clue if it worked or not. But it can be done!


    I took a short one a couple hours ago. It was nice. --
    C_B

  • FuzzyFuzzy
    Posts: 49,655
    Dr_Jerryrigger said:

    FromZwolle said:

    boil everything that can be boiled.



    This, but think bigger, steam works too.


    not nearly as easily done.
    The pinnacle of lame and awesome in one singular moment. -Lake
  • JayrizzleJayrizzle
    Posts: 90,049
    FromZwolle said:

    Dr_Jerryrigger said:

    FromZwolle said:

    boil everything that can be boiled.



    This, but think bigger, steam works too.


    not nearly as easily done.


    Easier than actually cleaning every catch point
    "I don't have TP, but I do have ammo."
    -Some guy in Ohio
  • BenSBenS
    Posts: 6,248
    ......Can I have a couple kegs?

    Jayrizzle
    There's no starting point. It's just a massive sea of shit to wade through until you find the occasional corn kernel. -DrCurly
  • JayrizzleJayrizzle
    Posts: 90,049
    Yeah, I'll pay shipping for one.
    "I don't have TP, but I do have ammo."
    -Some guy in Ohio
  • C_BC_B
    Posts: 88,439
    Helpful bunch you are.....
    "On it. I hate software." ~Cpt Snarklepants
  • FuzzyFuzzy
    Posts: 49,655
    I have a keg on tap that tasted like mold. I'm not sure if it was in the keg or the lines, but it's too late for that now. I'm going to break down the keg and the tap, remove all the post, rings, springs, etc. and boil all those. As for the keg itself, it's going to get a good scrub with some soap, then a lye soak, then reassemble and fill with boiling water and sealed up. When it cools down i'll add some star san and give it a good shake. Since you probably don't have the lye, go with bleach instead, just make sure to rinse very well.
    The pinnacle of lame and awesome in one singular moment. -Lake
  • ThymThym
    Posts: 121,586
    FromZwolle said:

    I have a keg on tap that tasted like mold. I'm not sure if it was in the keg or the lines, but it's too late for that now. I'm going to break down the keg and the tap, remove all the post, rings, springs, etc. and boil all those. As for the keg itself, it's going to get a good scrub with some soap, then a lye soak, then reassemble and fill with boiling water and sealed up. When it cools down i'll add some star san and give it a good shake. Since you probably don't have the lye, go with bleach instead, just make sure to rinse very well.



    I'd avoid bleach for any length of time as it can create microscopic pits in stainless. Powdered brewery wash is a caustic I think it's actually lye (NaOH) but I'm not sure. Either way it does the job.
    The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny
  • C_BC_B
    Posts: 88,439
    I read somewhere that PBW is the same as OXY. I find that difficult to believe. Anyone know?
    "On it. I hate software." ~Cpt Snarklepants
  • ThymThym
    Posts: 121,586
    C_B said:

    I read somewhere that PBW is the same as OXY. I find that difficult to believe. Anyone know?


    It is not.
    The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny
  • C_BC_B
    Posts: 88,439
    Lakewood said:

    C_B said:

    I read somewhere that PBW is the same as OXY. I find that difficult to believe. Anyone know?


    It is not.


    ok. I'm going to pickup some up and try that.
    "On it. I hate software." ~Cpt Snarklepants
  • FuzzyFuzzy
    Posts: 49,655
    C_B said:

    Lakewood said:

    C_B said:

    I read somewhere that PBW is the same as OXY. I find that difficult to believe. Anyone know?


    It is not.


    ok. I'm going to pickup some up and try that.


    For the sake of the casual passerby, OXY and/or pbw are not sanitizers. They'll get the keg clean, but you'll still need to sanitize it somehow.
    The pinnacle of lame and awesome in one singular moment. -Lake
  • JayrizzleJayrizzle
    Posts: 90,049
    NaHO is available at most hardware stores. In the drain cleaner section look for one they says 100% lye. It's not food grade, but you don't want to eat it.
    "I don't have TP, but I do have ammo."
    -Some guy in Ohio
  • JayrizzleJayrizzle
    Posts: 90,049
    Excuse me, O before H, NaOH, not like the word hydroxide.
    "I don't have TP, but I do have ammo."
    -Some guy in Ohio
  • JayrizzleJayrizzle
    Posts: 90,049
    FromZwolle said:

    C_B said:

    Lakewood said:

    C_B said:

    I read somewhere that PBW is the same as OXY. I find that difficult to believe. Anyone know?


    It is not.


    ok. I'm going to pickup some up and try that.


    For the sake of the casual passerby, OXY and/or pbw are not sanitizers. They'll get the keg clean, but you'll still need to sanitize it somehow.


    They kinda sanitize. It would probably be enough if you weren't starting with a problem, not suggesting anyone do that.
    "I don't have TP, but I do have ammo."
    -Some guy in Ohio
  • C_BC_B
    Posts: 88,439
    FromZwolle said:

    C_B said:

    Lakewood said:

    C_B said:

    I read somewhere that PBW is the same as OXY. I find that difficult to believe. Anyone know?


    It is not.


    ok. I'm going to pickup some up and try that.


    For the sake of the casual passerby, OXY and/or pbw are not sanitizers. They'll get the keg clean, but you'll still need to sanitize it somehow.


    Right, right. Thanks for noting that. I need to get these kegs CLEAN and disease free first. The final step would be to hit them with Star San or Iodophor.
    "On it. I hate software." ~Cpt Snarklepants
  • JayrizzleJayrizzle
    Posts: 90,049
    C_B said:

    FromZwolle said:

    C_B said:

    Lakewood said:

    C_B said:

    I read somewhere that PBW is the same as OXY. I find that difficult to believe. Anyone know?


    It is not.


    ok. I'm going to pickup some up and try that.


    For the sake of the casual passerby, OXY and/or pbw are not sanitizers. They'll get the keg clean, but you'll still need to sanitize it somehow.


    Right, right. Thanks for noting that. I need to get these kegs CLEAN and disease free first. The final step would be to hit them with Star San or Iodophor.


    Meh, don't clean them at all, just find someone with a big enough autoclave. Done.

    Actually, if it'll fit in you're oven an hour at 250 kills everything.
    "I don't have TP, but I do have ammo."
    -Some guy in Ohio
  • JayrizzleJayrizzle
    Posts: 90,049
    Wait! Just bring it to work and run it through the canner sterilization thing.
    "I don't have TP, but I do have ammo."
    -Some guy in Ohio
  • ThymThym
    Posts: 121,586
    Dr_Jerryrigger said:

    Wait! Just bring it to work and run it through the canner sterilization thing.



    Ha
    The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny
  • C_BC_B
    Posts: 88,439
    Dr_Jerryrigger said:

    Wait! Just bring it to work and run it through the canner sterilization thing.


    Haha.
    "On it. I hate software." ~Cpt Snarklepants
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