Building a keg washer involves putting together a small-scale system that can quickly, efficiently, and safely clean kegs to ensure increased performance, taste, and shelf-life of the product inside.
This guide will provide step-by-step instructions for building a keg washer.
Materials needed:
1. Keg washer
2. PVC piping
3. Fittings
4. Washing hose (high pressure or low pressure)
5. Keg hook
6. Sanitizing solutions
7. Reservoir
Step 1: Install the Keg Washer
First, install the keg washer in the brewery. If a stand is included with the washer, secure the unit to the stand and seal any joints with silicon adhesive.
Step 2: Connect the PVC Piping
Next, connect the PVC piping to the top, sides, and bottom of the washer. Connect all the pvc pipes using the fittings and ensure a water-tight seal by using readily available silicon adhesive.
Step 3: Attach the Washing Hose
Before attaching the washing hose, make sure that it is the correct size for the washer. Depending on the pressure of the washer, attach a high-pressure or low-pressure hose with the correct fittings.
Step 4: Attach the Keg Hook
Attach a keg hook to the center of the washer and secure it with bolts. This hook is necessary to properly move and spray the kegs during the cleaning process.
Step 5: Prepare the Sanitizing Solutions
The sanitizing solutions used will vary depending on the washer and the brewery. Consult the brewery’s guidelines and user manual to determine the right solution and the right amounts.
Step 6: Attach the Reservoir
Attach a reservoir to the bottom of the washer that will hold the sanitizing solutions. This reservoir should also be sealed with silicon adhesive if necessary.
Step 7: Check Connections
Finally, check all connections to make sure that the system is properly connected and functioning properly. This includes ensuring that the hose and fittings are secure and that there are no leaks.
Once all these steps are completed, the keg washer can be used for its intended purpose—to efficiently and safely clean kegs. With a properly assembled keg washer, the product inside kegs will stay fresh, taste great, and keep customers satisfied.
How do keg washers work?
Keg washers are used to clean beer kegs or other containers used to transport and store beer. They typically use high-pressure water and a chemical or cleaning solution to remove the old residue and prepare the containers for use with a new product.
The keg washer usually consists of a frame, a pump, and an adjustable nozzle head. The container is placed on the frame and aligned so that it is centered over the pump opening. The chemical or cleaning solution is poured into the container, and the pump is activated to start the cleaning process.
The adjustable nozzle head directs the powerful stream of water to reach all the inner and outer surfaces of the container to ensure the thorough cleaning of all the surfaces. After the cleaning is completed, the pump is shut off, and the keg can be emptied before the next cleaning cycle begins.
Once the keg has been completely cleansed, it can be filled with beer for a new product. The keg washer makes it easy and efficient to reuse kegs by quickly and easily removing old residue.
Can you use OxiClean to clean kegs?
Yes, you can use OxiClean to clean kegs. It is important to remember, however, that the method for cleaning a keg with OxiClean will vary depending on the materials used to make the keg. To clean stainless-steel kegs, dissolve one scoop of OxiClean in hot water and stir until mixed.
Submerge the keg within the OxiClean solution and let it sit for 1-2 hours. Then, rinse the keg thoroughly with hot water and proceed to sanitize the keg using a solution of 1 tablespoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water.
For plastic kegs, dissolve one scoop of OxiClean in hot water and stir until mixed, then submerge the keg and let it sit for 1-2 hours. Rinse the keg thoroughly afterwards using hot water and then sanitize with the same bleach solution as above.
It is important to remember that both stainless-steel and plastic kegs must be thoroughly rinsed and dried after being submerged in OxiClean, as residual OxiClean can lead to off-flavours in your beer.
What can I use to clean a keg?
Cleaning a keg requires some specialized tools and products. To start, you will need a keg cleaning brush, a utility brush, and a plastic-safe cleaner such as PBW or Oxy Clean. You will also need a common kitchen sink or garden hose, as well as a sanitizer such as Star San, Iodaphor or a campden tablet solution.
Begin by using the keg cleaning brush to scrub down the inside walls of the keg and remove any sediment or dirt. Be sure to thoroughly clean the lid seal, post, and dip tube as well. If necessary, use a utility brush to get into any crevices or areas that are difficult to reach.
After the entire inside of the keg is scrubbed clean, rinse it out with clean water.
Next, fill the keg with a plastic-safe cleaner such as PBW or Oxy Clean and circulate the solution for about 15 minutes. If a garden hose is available, this can help circulate the solution more effectively.
After the cleaning solution has been circulated, carefully dump it out, rinse the keg with clean water, then fill the keg with fresh cold water and drain it.
Finally, sanitize the keg by filling it with sanitizer then closed until the lid seal is tight. Place the lid onto the top and allow the keg to sit for 15 minutes. After the sanitizer has been in contact with the keg for the appropriate amount of time, carefully dump it and rinse the keg one final time with cold water.
Your keg is now ready to be filled with fresh beer!
How do you clean a keg without a kit?
The process of cleaning a keg without a kit requires a few basic supplies which include hot water, a brush, and a short, 6 inch plastic tubing. First, remove the top lid of the keg and set it aside. Then, insert the plastic tubing into the beer order tube at the top of the keg, so that one end is submerged in the keg.
Start running hot water from a faucet or sink into the top of the keg, which will fill it and push the water down the order tube. Move the end of the plastic tubing up and down the order tube to ensure all the interior surfaces of the keg are cleaned with the hot water.
Once completed, remove the plastic tubing and let the keg drain. Using the brush, scrub the interior and exterior surface of the keg thoroughly to remove any debris or residue. Rinse the keg with cool water a couple of times and let it dry.
Finally, reattach the top lid and you will be ready to fill it with your favorite beer.
Can I clean a keg with bleach?
Yes, you can clean a keg with bleach. It’s important to take the proper safety precautions and to ensure the keg is completely emptied before attempting to clean it with bleach. You should start by draining the entire keg and cleaning it with soapy water and a sponge or cloth.
Once the surface is free of debris, rinse it thoroughly with cold water. Next, mix 1/2 cup of chlorine bleach with 1 gallon of hot water, then pour the mixture into the keg. Allow it to sit for 15 minutes before draining and rinsing it thoroughly.
Finally, air dry the keg before reassembling and using it again. Be sure to wear protective gloves and safety glasses while handling the bleach, and keep the area well ventilated.
How do I clean and sanitize a keg?
Cleaning and sanitizing a keg is an important part of ensuring the quality and integrity of your beer. To do this properly, you’ll need a few items: a bottle brush, sanitizing solution, a container for sanitizing solution, a container for water and a clean cloth.
First, you’ll want to fill the keg with a water and sanitizing solution mix. Use one ounce of sanitizing solution to five gallons of water per keg. Stir the solution around and let it sit for 20 minutes.
This will allow the solution to reach all the nooks and crannies inside the keg.
Next, use the bottle brush to scrub the interior of the keg. Pay attention to any hard-to-reach spots at the top of the keg and make sure to scrub them properly. Do not use any kind of cleanser, as this could damage the keg.
After you are done scrubbing, rinse the interior of the keg with fresh water.
Once the keg is clean and dry, it’s time to sanitize it. Fill the keg with a solution of one ounce of sanitizing solution to five gallons of water. Make sure the solution contacts all surfaces inside the keg, and let the solution sit for 20 minutes.
Finally, drain the keg and rinse with fresh water. Once it is dry, the keg is ready to be used. Make sure to keep the keg in a clean and sanitized environment, and use a clean cloth when handling the keg.
These are the steps for cleaning and sanitizing a keg. Following this process regularly will ensure that your beer stays fresh and delicious all the way to the last sip.
How are Sanke kegs cleaned?
Sanke kegs are typically cleaned using an alkaline detergent solution, which is pushed into the keg and flushed out multiple times. This cleaning process helps to remove beer residue and organic matter, while promoting sanitization.
Depending on the cleaning situation, fresh water may also be added to the detergent mixture.
When the keg is first filled, a cleaning pump is used to fill the tank with a cleaner-water solution. This solution is then gently circulated within the keg for several minutes. With a siphon pump, the cleaner-water solution is removed from the Sanke keg and emptied into a tank.
This process is repeated multiple times until the desired level of cleanliness is achieved.
Once the inside of the tank has been thoroughly cleaned, the exterior is washed before the keg is filled with beer. A brush, specifically designed for the Sanke keg, is used to scrub the exterior of the keg.
A mild soap and water mixture is then applied and allowed to soak for a few minutes. The keg is then rinsed with clean, cold water and dried before it is ready to be filled with beer.
Cleaning Sanke kegs is a simple process that helps to promote beer freshness and product quality. Regular cleaning is essential to ensure the beer remains uncontaminated and tastes great.
How do Breweries clean kegs?
Breweries typically clean their kegs using either a soak-and-rinse approach or a CIP (Clean-in-Place) system.
For the soak-and-rinse approach, kegs are filled with warm water and a chemical cleanser and then left to soak for a period of time. This loosens any debris or residual beer stuck to the inside of the keg.
After the soak, the keg is drained then rinsed with warm water to remove any remnants of the cleaning solution.
The CIP approach is a more thorough and automated cleaning process. The keg is filled with a cleaning solution and/or sanitizer and then recirculated throughout the inside of the keg. This is often done with the help of a machine, such as a mini-CIP machine, which pumps cleaning solution from the tank, through the kegs, and then back into the tank.
Once the CIP process is completed, the keg is then rinsed with cold water to remove any cleaning agent residue.
Finally, breweries may also employ additional strategies to clean kegs. For example, some breweries clean their kegs using steam, pressure washing, or even dry ice blasting. Regardless of the cleaning technique employed, each brewery must make sure that their kegs are sufficiently cleaned and sanitized in order to provide customers with safe and clean beverages.
What is a keg washer?
A keg washer is a specialized device designed to clean and sanitize beer kegs. This device helps to thoroughly wash away all beer residue and bacteria from inside the keg. It also helps to maintain the proper temperature for handling and storing beer.
Many keg washers feature a digital control panel with options for water temperature, duration, speed, and the amount of water to be used. The washers may be able to accommodate a variety of sizes and types of kegs and may feature multiple spray nozzles, rollers, and recirculating pumps with filters.
Some units may allow for the removal of taps and other dispensers to maximize the keg’s interior cleanliness. Automated processes may be available to swiftly and efficiently rinse, wash, and sanitize kegs within a concise timeframe.
How do you make a beer line cleaning kit?
To make a beer line cleaning kit, you will need:
-a 4-foot (1.2 meter) section of 3/16-inch (4.8 millimeter) ID clear vinyl tubing
-a faucet brush
-a bottle brush
-a small funnel
-a airlock
-a sanitizing solution (like Star San)
1. Cut the clear vinyl tubing into four equal sections using a sharp knife or scissors.
2. Attach one end of a tube to the faucet brush and the other end to the airlock.
3. Submerge the brush in the sanitizing solution and pump the airlock until the solution reaches the top of the tubing.
4. Open the faucet and hold the brush against the inside of the faucet, letting the solution flow through the brush and tubing.
5. Repeat this process with the remaining three tubes, attaching each one to a different brush (bottle brush, small funnel, etc.).
What is beer line cleaner made of?
Beer line cleaners are designed to remove bacteria, beer stone and other contaminants from beer lines by dissolving them and ensuring they are completely removed from contact with the beverage. The ingredients in beer line cleaners vary depending on the product, but they typically include phosphoric acid and chelating agents.
Phosphoric acid is very effective at soaking up minerals, which helps break down any deposits that have built up inside the beer lines. Chelating agents, such as EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid), work to trap impurities so they can be rinsed away.
For example, EDTA works to remove organic, galvanic, and cationic impurities. Finally, beer line cleaning solutions may contain other ingredients, such as surfactants, wetting agents and brighteners, that further improve the cleaning process.
What happens if you drink beer line cleaner?
Drinking beer line cleaner can have extremely serious consequences as it is made up of strong acids and alkalis that are used to clean beer lines and other equipment in pubs and restaurants. This cleaning solution can cause severe abrasion of and even death to any human that consumes it.
If you swallow beer line cleaner, you can expect to experience severe and possibly life-threatening symptoms. These symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and a burning sensation in your mouth, throat, and stomach.
In some cases, you may also experience respiratory distress and seizures. Additionally, the acid in the cleaner can cause erosion of the esophagus and stomach lining, leading to internal bleeding and perforation of the stomach or throat.
Seek medical attention as soon as possible if you’ve swallowed beer line cleaner in any amount. Medical personnel can help to neutralize the acid in your stomach and provide treatments to minimize any damage that has already occurred.
Prudent medical vigilance is strongly advised as even small amounts of beer line cleaner can cause catastrophic consequences.
