Mastering Corny Keg Cleaning and Sanitizing Technique

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Mastering Corny Keg Cleaning and Sanitizing
Technique
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• Keeping your corny kegs clean is one of the most
  important and difficult aspects of homebrewing.
  Proper cleaning
• and sanitation prevent off-flavors in your beer
  by removing residue and killing bacteria. While
  it may seem tedious,
• establishing good corny keg maintenance practices
  will ensure your homebrew always tastes its best.
  This blog is a
• comprehensive guide, discussing different methods
  and recommended products for expertly cleaning
  and sanitizing
• corny kegs.
• Why Corny Keg Cleaning Matters
• After each use, particles of yeast, hops, and
  other beer ingredients stick to the inside of a
  corny keg. If they arent fully removed, these
  residues can impart off-flavors ranging from sour
  and stale to metallic. Bacteria and wild yeast
  can also take hold and create undesirable funky
  or tart flavors. Thorough cleaning removes
  leftover particles, while sanitizing kills
  bacteria for a fresh start.
• By following proper corny keg cleaning and
  sanitation techniques, youll avoid
  cross-contamination between batches. Your beers
  will retain their intended aroma, taste, and
  mouthfeel batch after batch. Taking the time to
  correctly clean and sanitize your corny kegs is
  essential for crafting consistent, high-quality
  homebrew.

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Cleaning and Sanitizing

• While the terms are sometimes interchangeable,
  cleaning and sanitizing are distinct processes.
  Cleaning means removing visible deposits and
  excess using water, detergents, and physical
  scrubbing. Sanitizing kills microorganisms like
  bacteria and wild yeast by using heat or
  chemicals.
• For the best results, you should clean corny kegs
  first to remove debris and deposits. Then
  sanitize to kill any remaining microbes. Both
  cleaning and sanitizing are required steps for
  optimal corny keg maintenance.
• Cleaning Methods and Supplies
• Cleaning corny kegs involves removing residue,
  sediments, and film. Here are some recommended
  cleaning methods and supplies

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Cleaning and Sanitizing -

• 1.Hot Water Rinse
• Rinsing with hot water can dissolve and loosen
  many deposits inside a corny keg. Allow very hot
  water to fill and circulate inside the keg. Use a
  soft brush or rag to scrub visible debris from
  interior surfaces. Drain and repeat until the
  water runs clear.
• 2. Cleaning with Chemicals
• Alkaline-based cleaners effectively remove
  organic residues and films when used with hot
  water. Fill the keg with water 10F warmer than
  the recommended temperature and add cleaner per
  instructions. Soak overnight for heavy soils or
  at least 20 minutes for light cleaning. Rinse
  thoroughly until the water runs clear. Star San
  sanitizer can also double as a no-rinse cleaner.
• 3. Pressure Washer
• A pressure washer pumps high-pressure hot water
  for a deep, thorough cleaning. Adjust the nozzle
  to a wide, low-pressure spray and insert through
  the openingposition at different angles to cover
  all interior all interior surfaces. Rinse with
  clean water afterward.

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• 4.  Bottle Brushes
• Use long-handled brushes with synthetic bristles
  to manually scrub inside kegs. Round bulb brushes
  clean the main chamber, while thin, angled
  brushes clean hard-to-reach spots like the dip
  tube. Scrub thoroughly until no debris remains.
• 5. Cleaning Accessories
• Keg cleaning accessories like the Triple Jet Keg
  Washer connect to a hose for cleaning with water
  pressure. Keg dip tubes designed for cleaning
  have holes and slits for water flow. Soap
  injecting keg lids mix in cleaners. Blend clean
  water with cleaning chemicals or hot water for an
  effective, hands-free wash.
•  

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Recommended Cleaning Chemicals for Corny Kegs

• Here are some of our top recommended cleaners for
  corny keg maintenance
• Alkaline-based cleaner dissolved in water
• 2. Alkaline chlorinated cleaner for removing
  organic soils
• 3. No rinse acid-based sanitizer/cleaner
• 4. Non-chlorine oxygen-based cleaner
• 5. Oxalic acid cleaner that removes mineral
  deposits
• 6. Hot water and soft brush/rag for manual
  scrubbing
• Follow the manufacturers instructions for proper
  dilution and contact time. Thoroughly rinse all
  surfaces after cleaning.

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Sanitizing Methods and Supplies

• After cleaning, sanitizing kills any remaining
  microbes for biologically safe surfaces.
  Sanitizing also removes chemical residues from
  cleaning. Here are some sanitizing techniques
• 1.Hot Water
• Heating water to 170F and rinsing will sanitize
  corny keg surfaces. Boil water first or use
  near-boiling hot water from the tap. Fill the keg
  and allow it to sit for 10 minutes, then drain.
  Repeat hot water rinse 2-3 times.
• 2.Chemical Sanitizers
• Sanitizing cleaners like Star San and iodophor
  require a shorter contact time than hot water.
  Fill the keg with a dilute sanitizing solution.
  Allow to soak according to product directions,
  usually 1-2 minutes. Drain the solution and
  optionally rinse surfaces. Air dry fully before
  use. Rotate the sanitizer type occasionally to
  prevent bacteria from adapting.

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•  3. Steam
• Heat steam to over 200F using a sanitizing wand
  or steam generator. Insert steam through the keg
  opening, progressively moving the nozzle to
  sanitize all interior surfaces. The combination
  of high heat and moisture quickly kills microbes.
• 4. Ozone
• An ozone generator can infuse sanitizing ozone
  gas into a corny keg. Insert the ozone output
  hose and fill the keg with ozonated water or air.
  Soak for the recommended time, then ventilate
  thoroughly to remove all ozone
• Recommended Sanitizers Content
• 1. Phosphoric/sulfuric acid blend, no rinse
  needed
• 2. Iodine-based solution, requires rinse
• 3. Buffered iodophor with a blend of acids

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• 4.Hydrogen peroxide and peroxyacetic acid blend
• 5. Chlorine dioxide-based
• 6. Hot water over 170F - scalding heat sanitizes
  on contact
• Follow all label instructions carefully,
  especially concentration and contact time.
  Thoroughly rinse or air dry kegs after sanitizing
  if required. Rotate between different sanitizer
  types over time.
• Step-by-Step Cleaning and Sanitizing
• Supplies Needed
• 1. Cleaner and sanitizer of your choice
• 2. Hot water
• 3. Soft brushes and various keg brushes
• 4. Large tub or sink for soaking kegs

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Instructions for How to Clean a Keg

• Release pressure - Pull ring on ball lock lid or
  press poppet on pin lock keg to vent completely.
• 2. Remove lid - Lift lever and detach lid. Set
  aside with o-ring.
• 3. Wipe exterior - Use a wet rag to wipe off
  exterior dust and grime.
• 4. Remove posts - Carefully unscrew posts with a
  crescent wrench. Set posts, poppets, and dip
  tubes in labeled containers.
• 5. Clean components - Soak all parts in brewery
  wash like PBW. Scrub inside and outside of keg.
  Rinse thoroughly.
• 6. Reassemble - Reinsert poppets into posts.
  Attach gas post and dip tube to "in" side. Attach
  beer post and dip tube to "out" side.
• 7. Replace lid - Insert lid sideways, turn 90
  degrees, pull lever down to lock.
• Keg is now clean and ready for sanitizing and
  filling!
• Maintaining impeccable cleanliness standards for
  your corny kegs is the key to flawless homebrew.
  For high-quality kegs and accessories made just
  for homebrewers, shop INOXCVAs line of stainless
  steel Cornelius kegs. Invest in the best kegs and
  cleaning gear to master Cornelius keg care.
• Cheers to clean kegs and contamination-free
  homebrew!

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Thank You!
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