{"id":1644,"date":"2019-03-29T16:52:28","date_gmt":"2019-03-29T21:52:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/?p=1644"},"modified":"2022-06-15T09:49:08","modified_gmt":"2022-06-15T14:49:08","slug":"how-to-clean-a-corny-keg-step-by-step","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/2019\/03\/29\/how-to-clean-a-corny-keg-step-by-step\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Clean a Corny Keg Step-By-Step"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Keeping your kegs clean and properly sanitizing them prior to filling them is an incredibly important practice for homebrewers. If you purchased a used corny keg, a thorough cleaning before your first use is definitely required. We recommend doing a deep clean on your keg after every 2-3 uses but rinsing well and sanitizing in between each use is an absolute must or you will risk ruining your beer. It is highly recommended that whenever you finish a keg, immediately rinse it well with hot water so that the remaining sugars don\u2019t set, which will make the cleaning and sanitizing process much faster and easier when you\u2019re ready to fill the keg again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Confused about the types of kegs? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Kegs<\/strong><\/a> here to learn about each type of keg!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are several ways to clean a keg, including commercially-available keg and carboy washers<\/a>, homemade keg and carboy washers (like ours!)<\/a>, and disassembly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don’t want to clean them by hand every time? Check out our article on how to build your own DIY Keg and Carboy Washer!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the purpose of this article, we\u2019ll focus on how to properly disassemble and clean the components of your corny keg by hand without any special equipment:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step One: Safely Release the Pressure in the Keg <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Whenever you are going to be opening or disassembling a keg, the first, and most important, step is to vent the keg\u2019s pressure. For most ball-lock kegs, there is a ring on the lid that releases the pressure in the keg safely when pulled. Most pin-lock kegs do not have a manual pressure-release. For pin-lock kegs, the pressure must be released from the \u201cOUT\u201d post on the keg. This can be done by carefully pressing in the poppet on the post (some recommend using a screwdriver, while others recommend using something like a chopstick to avoid damaging the poppet). In our opinion, the safest way to purge the pressure from a pin-lock keg is to use an extra unconnected beer line quick disconnect to safely purge the pressure. Note: You can purchase replacement lids for pin-lock kegs that include a manual pressure release valve<\/a> if you prefer not to worry about other methods of purging. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step Two: Remove the Lid <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once the pressure in the keg has been released, pull up on the lever attached to the lid. At this point, the lid may release itself from the keg easily, or it may stay stuck. If it doesn\u2019t immediately release, pull the manual pressure release valve again to ensure all of the pressure is released, then gently press down on the lid until it releases from the keg. Make sure that the rubber o-ring is still attached to the lid (they sometimes get stuck under the lip of the keg). Turn the lid 90 degrees toward the shorter end of it to slide it out of the mouth of the keg. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Set the lid and the lid o-ring aside for cleaning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step Three: Clean the Outside of the Keg<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After you have released the pressure and removed the lid, use a wet rag or paper towel to wipe off as much of the dust and grime on the outside of the keg as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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