Kegging System Cleaning

[BigKO]

I'm relatively new to kegging systems. I was wondering how often I should breakdown my faucets and how far I should take them apart. I run StarSan through my beer lines after every keg. Is there something else I should do to help prolong cleanings of faucets?

Also, I just purchased a used kegerator that was converted from a chest freezer. It had been sitting around unused for sometime apparently and has grown so funk. I can clean the freezer itself but I was wondering if it was possible to salvage all of the connective hoses because they were left in the kegerator and are definitely contaminated.

And my final question, If you have shit growing in the Sankey taps used in a kegging system, is it possible to sanitize them or do I need to get a new set of Sankey taps before I start pushing beer through the system
?

[DannyW]

Throw out any tubing that came with used dispensing equipment.

The sankey couplers (the thing that attaches to the keg) can be cleaned pretty well by soaking in PBW for a day or three. Take it apart as far as you can get it (unscrewing the nipples mostly, and pulling out the gas check valve) and submerge it in a pitcher of warm PBW. When it looks clean, rinse, starsan, keg lube on the rubber parts and you are good to go.

Mine came from a commercial bar that had been closed for many months. They were nasty, but cleaned up nicely.

[BigKO]

What should I do about faucets? How often should I clean them and what should I clean them with?

[Crut]

What should I do about faucets? How often should I clean them and what should I clean them with?

I have three taps on my kegerator, and each time i blow a keg or replace a keg i clean the lines, coupler, and taps completely. I take the taps apart right down to the plunger valve and seals to clean them thoroughly. I think its really important especially when you are switching brands or types of beer.

[DannyW]

What should I do about faucets? How often should I clean them and what should I clean them with?

I left that out because I don't use metal faucets on a day to day basis - only on my portable serving equipment that gets used once in a while.

If the faucets get sticky or leaky, I take them apart down to the 4 or 5 basic parts and soak them in a measuring cup of PBW. When they are done they get rinsed real well, then a very thin coat of keg lube only on the rubber parts. Trust me, you do not want lube on the metal sliding parts. They move real nice, but you end up with headless beer.

[BigKO]

Thanks for answering all of my questions about cleaning. You've been a great help.

Now I have one question about keg lube. What should I get? I was looking at more beer and there are 3 or 4 different choices; does it matter what I use? Is one more convenient than another? I'm thinking of getting the four ounce lubrifilm. How long does on of those tubes usually last?

Also, how much solution will four pounds of PBW make? Is it worth the convenience of having a ton of it on hand?

Thanks again.

[DannyW]

Now I have one question about keg lube. What should I get? I was looking at more beer and there are 3 or 4 different choices; does it matter what I use? Is one more convenient than another? I'm thinking of getting the four ounce lubrifilm. How long does on of those tubes usually last?

Hm, I only saw the one choice, the 4oz tube of lubrifilm. You use so little of it at a time that tube will probably outlast you!

Silicon grease from the SCUBA supply place will work too.

Also, how much solution will four pounds of PBW make? Is it worth the convenience of having a ton of it on hand?
Thanks again.

That will also last a very long time. You can keep the working solution in a bucket for weeks and it still works just as well, so don't dump it out until it either looks nasty or stops feeling slick to your fingers.

[BigKO]

Again, many thanks. It looks like I need to place an order for some keg equipment.