Clean Beer Lines and Faucets RegularlyClean Beer Lines and Faucets Regularly
Keeping your kegerator clean is essential. A clean kegerator will last a long time and ensure the beer you pour is at its highest quality. A dirty beer line can cause problems with carbonation, flavor and aroma. A simple cleaning regimen will keep your kegerator in tip-top shape and your beer tasting as refreshing as the brewer intended. Here’s our recommendation for weekly beer line and faucet cleaning:
1. Begin by shutting off the pressure supply at the cylinder.
2. Now, remove the tap from the barrel.
3. Remove the cap and pump on the cleaner and fill the jar with fresh water and reassemble.
4. Remove the faucet from the shank with a spanner wrench. Rinse the faucet under fresh water with the faucet in the open position.
5. Connect the cleaning attachment on the end of the cleaner to shank coupling nut - tighten slightly with spanner wrench. Place hose and coupler into a bucket and pump water through line. If tap has a shutoff, be sure it is open.
6. Remove cleaning attachment, replace the faucet and tighten the coupling nut with your spanner wrench,
7. You can now re-tap your barrel.
Direct Draw Systems
Direct Draw Systems should be cleaned each time a new barrel is tapped. You can purchase cleaning kits for Direct Draw Systems; they will ensure your kegerator is being cleaned properly. The simple process of cleaning takes only a few minutes and is easily accomplished with the use of either a hand pumped cleaning bottle or pressurized cleaning bottle.
Follow this regimen every time a new barrel is tapped:
1. Begin by pumping water mixed with the cleaning chemicals into the beer line and letting it soak for the time prescribed by the chemical manufacturer.
2. Then thoroughly flush the beer line with water to eliminate the cleaning chemical.
3. Now soak the keg coupler and faucet in water with cleaning chemical then brush them clean and rinse them with water to again eliminate the cleaning agents.
4. After cleaning is always a good time to make sure the probe o-rings and bottom seal on the keg coupler, friction washer, coupling washer, and shaft seat on the faucet are in good condition.
5. Make sure the probe o-rings on the keg coupler are properly lubricated with a food grade lubricant to allow the keg coupler to work freely and prevent wear and tear.