Keg cleaning: the complete step-by-step guide

We have already talked about cleaning your draft beer line, which is an extremely necessary process for anyone selling drinks this way. But we can’t forget about this one either: keg cleaning.

If you are a micro or macro brewer and have kegs scattered all over, even being used in your own venues or your brewpub, it is time to roll up your sleeves! The keg cleaning process is easy to do, and we will even teach you the step-by-step to make your life even easier! This time there are no excuses, okay?

Why clean the keg?

For the same reason you should clean the draft beer line: because it gets dirty. And if you don’t clean it, the dirt can start to interfere with the flavor, texture, and aroma of the product you are selling. The same agents that affect the draft beer line tend to affect the keg, such as yeast, mold, beer stone, biofilm, and bacteria. We have talked about them before, but it is always good to remember:

• Yeast: grows on the components of the beer system, such as taps and drains, when exposed to air. It is normally gray or white in color;

• Mold: that brown or black material that builds up on some components of your draft beer line when exposed to air;

• Beer stone: gray or brown mineral deposits that come from calcium oxalate, which build up and eventually flake off if the system is not properly cleaned, leaving the beer with a bad taste;

• Biofilm: a microscopic layer in which microorganisms protect themselves from the attack of sanitizing products;

• Bacteria: these are the bacteria that spoil your beer, leaving it with awful flavor and aroma. Even if they are not harmful to health, they can cause strange buttery flavors, called diacetyl, or unpleasant acidic and vinegary flavors.

Like the line, the keg goes through two stages during the sanitation process: cleaning and sanitizing. Basically, while cleaning means removing all visible dirt and organic and inorganic residue, sanitizing means reducing microorganisms to insignificant levels.

We will help you with a step-by-step for each of these stages:

Keg cleaning step-by-step

• Step 1: Completely disassemble the keg, separating all the parts and placing the smallest accessories in a container;

• Step 2: If the keg is dirty or has residue, use a specific cleaner (a chlorinated detergent, for example);

• Step 3: Use a carboy brush or a soft sponge to clean the keg inside and out. Don’t cut corners: it is important to pay attention and clean every nook and crevice;

• Step 4: Clean the beer outlet tube with a 1⁄4 line brush, which are circular steel brushes;

• Step 5: Clean and inspect all parts to check for signs of wear or breakage. If any part is worn, it is important that you replace it;

• Step 6: Drain the keg and the small parts and rinse them;

• Step 7: Phew, done! Now all that is left is to reassemble the keg.

The first part is done. Easy, right? Now let’s move on to the sanitizing part, the more detailed work.

Keg sanitizing step-by-step

• Step 1: Fill the keg completely with a sanitizing solution of your choice. We suggest an iodine and peracetic acid solution;

• Step 2: Leave the sanitizer in the keg for the time recommended for the chosen product;

• Step 3: Place the cap in a separate bowl filled with sanitizing solution and let it soak for the recommended time;

• Step 4: Once the cap is sanitized, it is time to put it back on the keg, making sure the seal is correct;

• Step 5: Turn the closed keg upside down and leave it that way for the time recommended for the sanitizer. This will let the sanitizer reach all parts of the keg, including the tubes;

• Step 6: Drain the keg;

• Step 7: Preferably, push the solution out using CO2, so you kill two birds with one stone: the line will already be sanitized and the keg will already be full of CO2.

Extra tips for keg cleaning

Tip 01
If you are going to use a chiller or electric draft beer dispenser, unplug it before any cleaning. Never pour water on the equipment, and clean the exterior with a damp cloth.

Tip 02
Do not use alcohol to clean acrylic finishes, as it will make the material cloudy, cracked, and eventually broken over time. Chlorine- or acid-based chemicals, in contact with your equipment, will cause oxidation.

Tip 03
To help with cleaning, use the backflush nozzle. Before using it, close the gas cylinder valve, disconnect the valve from the keg, and connect it to the nozzle. Now just open the water valve connected to the nozzle and open the beer tap, keeping it open until the water runs clean, with no beer residue.

How often does a keg need to be cleaned?

It is advisable to sanitize the keg completely twice a month, no slacking. It is an easy process and you can do it yourself, so there are no excuses! It is keg cleaning (along with draft beer line cleaning) that ensures the flavor and all the original qualities of the product will be delivered faithfully to the end customer.

So, ready to get your keg squeaky clean?

Let’s talk so you can learn more about myTapp and self-pour draft beer?

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