Cleaning a kegerator?

[Nate Nagel]

Hi all

friend of mine got a kegerator... we're going to replace the hoses on it because it's been sitting disused for a while. Unfortunately said friend is better known for doing than thinking, and I have no experience with these things. what's the best way to clean these? Searching online yields results for expensive "cleaning kits" but not a lot in the way of instructions as to how to clean. Appears the two main parts that need to be cleaned are the faucet and the actual keg tap/fitting. Since we're replacing the hoses we don't need to worry about those. what's the accepted method/cleaners to take care of these?

thanks,

nate

[Steve B]

I wrote in on another beer related post. I got a kegerator, Refrigerator Air, IIRC, for $10 with the bottle and everything. It was pretty clean, but I did clean it up with Star San, the usual sanitizing stuff used by brewers. If your tower is full of junk, you might think of disassembling it, but I might suggest you just pump some star san through it by putting some in a keg, and hooking it up just like you were going to run beer. Star san is acetic, and 30 seconds of contact kills stuff. You do want to let it flow to get out gunk, and I'd let it sit with the pour valve off for a half an hour or so, then run it again to get out stuff that has softened up. After running star san, flush with hot water. Star san is non toxic, and you can actually drink some, or have it go into your beer, and no effect unless you put in a lot. I'd get soppy towels and go over the insides to get any surface mold.

I wrote another post here about the posts on my kegs I have questions about. If you know about those, please reply, or reply to this.

Good brewing. I'm just about ready to kick mine off as soon as I get my keg posts right.

Steve

[Steve B]

Forgot to add that both ends can be taken off and soaked in hot water with star san. Some disassembly possible with most anything. Might be good to see if your rubber is good inside.

Steve