New to kegging

[NondumCelebrer]

So I came across a guy giving away a keggerator with a tap, 5lb co2 tank, and the regulator. If this isn't the beer gods telling me it's time to start kegging I don't know what is. The entire set up had sat in his garage for about two years with beer in the lines so they're trashed, how do I best clean the tap? I'm thinking take it as apart as I can get it and soak it in bpw overnight. And on that note how apart should I be able to get it? I've taken the tap out of the tower and the handle out of the tap to the point where the o-rings come out as well and I can see the sliding mechanism inside.

The regulator is missing the clear face on the tank's gauge but seems to work alright. The co2 tank still has some pressure in it, just under 1000psi, and is within its hydrotest date. Is that enough to push star san through everything and for drinking or should I trade it in before hooking it up to the full keg? I'm sure I could take it off while the keg is carbed but I'm trying to keep this as simple as possible and also would like to minimize trips to the store.

Thanks all.

[TheTodd]

It sounds like you've got the tap sufficiently broken down. Soak the parts in hot PBW then rinse with StarSan.

I'm broke (and therefore cheap), so I'd stick with the regulator until it's in the budget to get a new one. It may not read exactly, so you might have to get a feel for it, but as long as you can dial in something close, I think you'll be fine. Then get a dual regulator so you can have different pressures on different beers. It's not much more than a single, but you'll thank yourself later.

I wouldn't trust a hand-me-down CO2 canister. Open the valve to empty it, then exchange it for a full one (if you have that option). Otherwise, take it to your refill place and have it professionally tested and recertified.

[Dirk McLargeHuge]

If you unscrew the nut holding the tap marker screw, you can pull out the valve out, and there is a small rod that moves the valve. In cleaning taps for a local liquor store, I've noticed the valve and the little rod will mold (as well as the inside of the faucet) and need to be taken apart.

I get my CO2 from the local welding shop, and I don't own a canister. The canisters belong to he gas companies and are checked at the plant. One less thing for me to worry about.

[NondumCelebrer]

Thanks Dirk, after some soaking in wd40 the rest came apart. And thank god it did, I doubt it would have even formed a seal with all the crud in there.

That's exactly what my thoughts were Todd. Problem is it's not just the dual reg I need, I'll need to add another tap too which will get pricey combined with another keg and the reg. My broke ass is starting simple, although I can't wait to get at least one more tap going.

Sorry to add questions to the thread but I was reading through some older posts in here and saw some folks saying that putting the regulator inside the fridge would cause problems. I hadn't seen this in anything else I've read so if anyone can educate me about that it would be much appreciated.

[manwithbeers]

You can replace the gauge for a few bucks. Check a welding supply or Gas distributor. They may even switch it out for you. If the reg has a second oulet curently plugged you can add a Low pressure gauge for only a few dollars as well.

Get replacement line from the local Hardware store, 3/16" ID.

Buy some BLC it really is the best for cleaning draft equipment and lines.

You will need a faucet brush and tap wrench as well.

Gas bottle and regulator inside cooler is fine.

Good Luck!

[Dirk McLargeHuge]

Thanks Dirk, after some soaking in wd40 the rest came apart. And thank god it did, I doubt it would have even formed a seal with all the crud in there.

That's exactly what my thoughts were Todd. Problem is it's not just the dual reg I need, I'll need to add another tap too which will get pricey combined with another keg and the reg. My broke ass is starting simple, although I can't wait to get at least one more tap going.

Sorry to add questions to the thread but I was reading through some older posts in here and saw some folks saying that putting the regulator inside the fridge would cause problems. I hadn't seen this in anything else I've read so if anyone can educate me about that it would be much appreciated.

After the WD40 soak, make sure you clean every piece of that faucet assembly. Rinse. Repeat.

Distributors clean tap lines and faucets once a month. Well, good distributors do, anyway. It's a good habit to get in. I've been to a couple of chains where no one has every cleaned a line. I might let my cobra taps slide a while longer, but I am not serving the public.