Kegging For The First Time

[schapiro1]

Can I just clean the dip tube while cleaning the keg with PBW or do I have to take it out and clean it each time?

[hotrod38]

Can I just clean the dip tube while cleaning the keg with PBW or do I have to take it out and clean it each time?

You should remove the dip tube from time to time to inspect the O ring and to check if there is any crusty old beer that has been stuck inside the tube.

[Bugeater]

Can I just clean the dip tube while cleaning the keg with PBW or do I have to take it out and clean it each time?

I pull it out every time and run one of these through it a few times to make sure there is no crud stuck inside.

http://morebeer.com/product.html?product_id=15976

Wayne
Bugeater Brewing Company

[Black Point]

I to am about to keg for the first time. I am very confused by the whole process. Does MoreBeer give you a step by step walkthrough on how to keg when you by your first kit? Or could someone point me in the right direction to where I could obtain such a procedure?

[numsquat]

I to am about to keg for the first time. I am very confused by the whole process. Does MoreBeer give you a step by step walkthrough on how to keg when you by your first kit? Or could someone point me in the right direction to where I could obtain such a procedure?

Do a search here for kegging. I've found most of my answers that way, then start a thread for any other questions you have. It seems more overwhelming than it actually is.

[Chris_J]

I to am about to keg for the first time. I am very confused by the whole process. Does MoreBeer give you a step by step walkthrough on how to keg when you by your first kit? Or could someone point me in the right direction to where I could obtain such a procedure?

Actually B3 does include very thorough instructions with their kit. I love the intro "Step 1: Grab yourself a beer, this can be thirsty work"

[schapiro1]

Well, I just finished kegging my first beer(Oatmeal Stout).
Everything seemed to go just fine.

I have a few remaining questions.
How often do you(if at all) clean your gas line?
How long do you need to add CO2 to purge a keg?
How long(and what pressure) do you add CO2 to seal your keg?

I sanitized my keg with starsan and then ran it through my picnic tap.\
This left a ton of foam in the keg.
Whats the best way to sanitize a keg?

[Bugeater]

Well, I just finished kegging my first beer(Oatmeal Stout).
Everything seemed to go just fine.

Great!

I have a few remaining questions.
How often do you(if at all) clean your gas line?
Pretty much never.
How long do you need to add CO2 to purge a keg?
Just fill it up for a few seconds, pull the pressure relief, and charge it up again and release again. Do this again after you fill the keg.
How long(and what pressure) do you add CO2 to seal your keg?
Generally 10-12 pounds will do it though I usually hit mine with about 30 pounds, shake it around a bit, and charge to 30 pounds once more and disconnect the CO2. You run the CO2 until you can't hear it go in any more. My 30 pound method is because I usually have to let my keg sit for a week or so before I have room in the fridge or kegerator to chill it. This gives a head start on carbonation. After a week, the carbonation will drop to about 7-8 pounds due to it going into solution.

I sanitized my keg with starsan and then ran it through my picnic tap.\
This left a ton of foam in the keg.
Foam is your friend, embrace the foam.
Whats the best way to sanitize a keg?
You already did it. When I clean a keg, I do take the posts and dip tubes out and clean them too. I spray them with starsan when I reassemble the keg. I then put starsan in the keg, replace the lid and blow it out the way you did.

Wayne
Bugeater Brewing Company