Used keg cleaning

I recently purchased 3 more single handle style 5 gallon corny kegs online. The single handle style is better because it uses up less space in the kegerator, has an all metal top (except for the handle), and much easer to clean.

I'm home today so I figured I would go ahead and clean these babies and get them ready to hold beer. So why not put a post together to outline the process.

Step One - What needs to be replaced

First thing you need to do is figure out which pieces need to be replaced. Below is a list of items that may need replacing:

• Post: I get all ball lock posts. These are what the beer and gas lines are connected to on the top of the keg. Check for nicks on the top and make sure the edges aren't warped or bent
• Post O-Ring: around the top of the post is a small o-ring that helps make the seal with the ball lock connectors. Make sure this is in good shape and is not decomposed or torn.
• Poppet: these style posts have a poppet that goes inside and fills the hold in the middle of the post. These are essentially just springs that all for the ball lock connectors to depress when connecting to let liquid or gas in and out. Make sure the spring work and they are not overly wore out.
• Dip Tube: the dip tube sits under the liquid (out) post. In most cases this will be in fine shape, but if bent or worn you may want to get another one.
• Dip Tube Washer: there is a washer that site under the dip tube to ensure the seal. These tend to get very warm because of the pressed of the post being tightened. Make sure its in ok shape and if not get a new  one.
• Gas Tube: the gas tube is a small 1/2 in or so tube under the gas post. It's only purpose is to give the gas post tightening point and to let the gas flow easily into the keg.
• Gas Tube Washer: this is the same as the dip tube washer and has the same issues.
• Pressure Release Valve: this valve sits on top of the lid and usually screws off. Be sure that the pull ring and spring are both solid and not warn.
• Lid and O-Ring: a very important piece to the keg. Make sure the o-ring is in good shape and that the lid seals properly over the top of the keg with the o-ring. and major dings or bending on the edges and you may not get a good seal.

Step Two - Disassembly

This is fairly simple and can be done with a 7/8 in wrench and a phillips screw driver.

1. Remove lid, lid o-ring, and unscrew pressure relief from top of lid. Set aside.
2. Unscrew liquid post using 7/8 in wrench or socket. Remove poppet from post and dip tube from hole. Set aside
3. Unscrew gas post using 7/8 in wrench or socket. Remove poppet from post and gas tube from hole. Set aside
4. Unscrew ends from handle. Remove handle cleats, handle and screw. Set aside.

That's about it. The tubes will have washers you may also want to remove for cleaning

Step Three - Cleaning

This is a multi step process but is well worth it in the end. To begin you will need the following:

• Acid based cleaner such as saniclean or starsan
• Acetone or paint thinner
• Warm water, bucket, and large cooler
• Razor blade
• Fine steel wool
• rubber gloves
• bar keeps friend
• clean cloth for cleaning

Cleaning - Step 1 - Soak parts

Take all of the old disassembled parts and any new replacement parts and put them in a acid based sanitizer. Usually 1.2 to 1 oz per gallon is fine for saniclean. This will remove any lingering odors or bacteria from the fitting.

Cleaning - Step 2 - Remove labels and glue

Put your gloves on and pour the paint thinner or acetone over any remaining labels or glue on the kegs. Use the raze blade to scrape as much of the labels off as possible. You may need to repeat the process a few times. I find the steel wool helps to get the dissolved glue off once complete. When done try and rinse as much of the chemical off.

Cleaning - Step 3 - Clean stainless

The best thing you can use for the stainless tabk itself is bar keeps friend. A little of this goes a long way. It will remove discoloration and even rust fairly easily. Use the instructions on the container, but I find its best to soak a little cleaner in water with the cloth. Get it nice and wet and then wring out. Put a little clean on the cloth, wet it a little by clothing the cloth, and scrub the stainless. When your done the stainless for look very clean.

Cleaning - Step 4 - Soak keg

The last cleaning step is to remove any lingering soda smell from inside the kegs. Use an acid based cleaner such as saniclean or starsan for this. mix .75-1 oz per gallon and let it soak for 3o minutes or so. Note you can re-use the sanitizing solution for each keg.

When all you kegs are cleaned, dump the sanitize into a cooler. Holed the tops of the kegs under the solution for some time to ensure the tops are thoroughly cleaned as well.

Step Four - Re-assembly

Next step is reassembly. Make sure all your washers and o-rings are in good shape. Tighten everything down very well, but make sure dip tube is positions correctly.

Step Five - Pressurize

Add at least 15 PSI of CO2 to the keg and let sit over night. Check it the next morning and make sure the pressure is exactly the same. If so you have a newly cleaned keg ready for use. If pressure was lost check all your connections. It could be a bad ball lock fitting, loose pressure relief, or there may be a defect in the lid.

Before:
After: