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Main
Date: 22 Oct 2006 09:03:34
From: Sheheryar
Subject: Cleaning gas lines
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Hi
I was attempting my first force carbonation -- increased pressure to
30psi and shook the keg (upright position) etc. Upon putting it back
into the fridge, there was foam in the gas line (I dont recall if I
decreased pressure but I may have). I then took the regulator off the
co2 and sinsed the inside of the the hose and quick disconnects
somewhat through the carbonator cap (i.e. I attached the carbonator cap
and attached the quick connects to it with the regulator valve on off).
It seems to be rinsed but I was told by the owner of the homebrew
store that the fact that beer came in contact with the hoses, I will
need to sanitize them at some point soon-- Im ok for now). So these
are my questions:
1) If the guage is on close, is there no risk of liquid getting into
it? I would like not to remove the hose from the guage since it is
extremely tightly fit.
2) what would be a good method to clean and sanitize this hose while
it is still connected to the gas. To complicate matters I have a
T-fitting to be able to provide gas to 2 kegs simulaneously and thus I
need to clean/sanitize both attached lines. Would oxyclean be a good
cleaner for this (soak and then rinse using the carbonator cap on the
sink with the guage closed?)
Any help would be appreciated.
On an unrelated note, the beer is a bit too bitter and could use some
sweetness to balance it out - anything I can add to the keg for this?
Thanks!
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Date: 22 Oct 2006 09:17:06
From: Bob F
Subject: Re: Cleaning gas lines
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"Sheheryar" <sheheryarhasnain@hotmail.com > wrote in message
news:1161533013.977103.106350@i3g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
> Hi
> I was attempting my first force carbonation -- increased pressure to
> 30psi and shook the keg (upright position) etc. Upon putting it back
> into the fridge, there was foam in the gas line (I dont recall if I
> decreased pressure but I may have). I then took the regulator off the
> co2 and sinsed the inside of the the hose and quick disconnects
> somewhat through the carbonator cap (i.e. I attached the carbonator cap
> and attached the quick connects to it with the regulator valve on off).
> It seems to be rinsed but I was told by the owner of the homebrew
> store that the fact that beer came in contact with the hoses, I will
> need to sanitize them at some point soon-- Im ok for now). So these
> are my questions:
> 1) If the guage is on close, is there no risk of liquid getting into
> it? I would like not to remove the hose from the guage since it is
> extremely tightly fit.
> 2) what would be a good method to clean and sanitize this hose while
> it is still connected to the gas. To complicate matters I have a
> T-fitting to be able to provide gas to 2 kegs simulaneously and thus I
> need to clean/sanitize both attached lines. Would oxyclean be a good
> cleaner for this (soak and then rinse using the carbonator cap on the
> sink with the guage closed?)
> Any help would be appreciated.
>
> On an unrelated note, the beer is a bit too bitter and could use some
> sweetness to balance it out - anything I can add to the keg for this?
A Rube Goldberg approach:
I would connect one gas connector to a keg with sanitizer in it
positioned upside down. Connect the other end to an empty corny
with the top off. Position a vacuum cleaner hose in the opening with
a towel wrapped wround it to form a seal of sorts between it and the
opening. This should cause sanitizer to be sucked through the one
hose and out the other. Keep the tube between the regulator and
the "T" positioned up so the liquid will bypass it, and the "T" a little
above the level of the liquid in the 1st keg if you want to keep the
liquid away from the regulator.
Bob
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Date: 22 Oct 2006 19:16:30
From: John 'Shaggy' Kolesar
Subject: Re: Cleaning gas lines
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On 22 2006 09:03:34 -0700, <sheheryarhasnain@hotmail.com > wrote:
> 1) If the guage is on close, is there no risk of liquid getting into
> it? I would like not to remove the hose from the guage since it is
> extremely tightly fit.
Do you have a check valve on your gas line? If not then you really should
get one. It protects the regulator/gauge from beer backing up the line
like that. Getting beer into your regulator is generally a bad thing.
> 2) what would be a good method to clean and sanitize this hose while
> it is still connected to the gas. To complicate matters I have a
> T-fitting to be able to provide gas to 2 kegs simulaneously and thus I
> need to clean/sanitize both attached lines. Would oxyclean be a good
> cleaner for this (soak and then rinse using the carbonator cap on the
> sink with the guage closed?)
If you're going to clean it, I would definitely remove the lines from
the gas. It may be a pain, but I think it's going to be a lot easier
to clean the lines if you have them completely disconnected and can run
cleaner/sanitizer all the way through them.
John.
> Any help would be appreciated.
>
> On an unrelated note, the beer is a bit too bitter and could use some
> sweetness to balance it out - anything I can add to the keg for this?
>
> Thanks!
>
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Date: 22 Oct 2006 14:02:29
From: Dan Logcher
Subject: Re: Cleaning gas lines
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Sheheryar wrote:
> Hi
> I was attempting my first force carbonation -- increased pressure to
> 30psi and shook the keg (upright position) etc. Upon putting it back
> into the fridge, there was foam in the gas line (I dont recall if I
> decreased pressure but I may have). I then took the regulator off the
> co2 and sinsed the inside of the the hose and quick disconnects
> somewhat through the carbonator cap (i.e. I attached the carbonator cap
> and attached the quick connects to it with the regulator valve on off).
> It seems to be rinsed but I was told by the owner of the homebrew
> store that the fact that beer came in contact with the hoses, I will
> need to sanitize them at some point soon-- Im ok for now). So these
> are my questions:
> 1) If the guage is on close, is there no risk of liquid getting into
> it? I would like not to remove the hose from the guage since it is
> extremely tightly fit.
> 2) what would be a good method to clean and sanitize this hose while
> it is still connected to the gas. To complicate matters I have a
> T-fitting to be able to provide gas to 2 kegs simulaneously and thus I
> need to clean/sanitize both attached lines. Would oxyclean be a good
> cleaner for this (soak and then rinse using the carbonator cap on the
> sink with the guage closed?)
> Any help would be appreciated.
>
> On an unrelated note, the beer is a bit too bitter and could use some
> sweetness to balance it out - anything I can add to the keg for this?
I had a keg carbonating on the tank for a few weeks and I guess the pressure
changed enough for it to suck some beer back in the gas line. The regulator
has check valves on it, but somehow it leaked back. I will probably need to
check the seals.
Anyways, all my lines are 1/4" flared fittings so I can easily remove and
clean where needed. I just washed it out with hot water since the beer
didn't sit long in it.
--
Dan
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Date: 23 Oct 2006 09:47:27
From: Sheheryar
Subject: Re: Cleaning gas lines
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Thanks. Do you happen to have a link to show me what flare fittings are
-- I would like to do this so I can clean out the lines regularly.
Thanks again.
Dan Logcher wrote:
> Sheheryar wrote:
>
> > Hi
> > I was attempting my first force carbonation -- increased pressure to
> > 30psi and shook the keg (upright position) etc. Upon putting it back
> > into the fridge, there was foam in the gas line (I dont recall if I
> > decreased pressure but I may have). I then took the regulator off the
> > co2 and sinsed the inside of the the hose and quick disconnects
> > somewhat through the carbonator cap (i.e. I attached the carbonator cap
> > and attached the quick connects to it with the regulator valve on off).
> > It seems to be rinsed but I was told by the owner of the homebrew
> > store that the fact that beer came in contact with the hoses, I will
> > need to sanitize them at some point soon-- Im ok for now). So these
> > are my questions:
> > 1) If the guage is on close, is there no risk of liquid getting into
> > it? I would like not to remove the hose from the guage since it is
> > extremely tightly fit.
> > 2) what would be a good method to clean and sanitize this hose while
> > it is still connected to the gas. To complicate matters I have a
> > T-fitting to be able to provide gas to 2 kegs simulaneously and thus I
> > need to clean/sanitize both attached lines. Would oxyclean be a good
> > cleaner for this (soak and then rinse using the carbonator cap on the
> > sink with the guage closed?)
> > Any help would be appreciated.
> >
> > On an unrelated note, the beer is a bit too bitter and could use some
> > sweetness to balance it out - anything I can add to the keg for this?
>
> I had a keg carbonating on the tank for a few weeks and I guess the pressure
> changed enough for it to suck some beer back in the gas line. The regulator
> has check valves on it, but somehow it leaked back. I will probably need to
> check the seals.
>
> Anyways, all my lines are 1/4" flared fittings so I can easily remove and
> clean where needed. I just washed it out with hot water since the beer
> didn't sit long in it.
>
> --
> Dan
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Date: 23 Oct 2006 13:08:08
From: Dan Logcher
Subject: Re: Cleaning gas lines
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Sheheryar wrote:
> Thanks. Do you happen to have a link to show me what flare fittings are
> -- I would like to do this so I can clean out the lines regularly.
> Thanks again.
http://www.northernbrewer.com/pics/fullsize/shut-off-valves.jpg
The top part of the left valve is the flared end, the other side
is 1/4" MPT which goes right into your regulator of a Y WYE
adapter. http://www.northernbrewer.com/gas-handling.html
The valve on the right is 1/4" MPT to barbed.. you can't easily
clean a barbed attachment like this. Just a thought.
--
Dan
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Date: 23 Oct 2006 03:50:29
From:
Subject: Re: Cleaning gas lines
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John, where can you get these check valves for the gas lines? Thanks,
Jim
John 'Shaggy' Kolesar wrote:
> On 22 2006 09:03:34 -0700, <sheheryarhasnain@hotmail.com> wrote:
> > 1) If the guage is on close, is there no risk of liquid getting into
> > it? I would like not to remove the hose from the guage since it is
> > extremely tightly fit.
>
> Do you have a check valve on your gas line? If not then you really should
> get one. It protects the regulator/gauge from beer backing up the line
> like that. Getting beer into your regulator is generally a bad thing.
>
> > 2) what would be a good method to clean and sanitize this hose while
> > it is still connected to the gas. To complicate matters I have a
> > T-fitting to be able to provide gas to 2 kegs simulaneously and thus I
> > need to clean/sanitize both attached lines. Would oxyclean be a good
> > cleaner for this (soak and then rinse using the carbonator cap on the
> > sink with the guage closed?)
>
> If you're going to clean it, I would definitely remove the lines from
> the gas. It may be a pain, but I think it's going to be a lot easier
> to clean the lines if you have them completely disconnected and can run
> cleaner/sanitizer all the way through them.
>
>
> John.
> > Any help would be appreciated.
> >
> > On an unrelated note, the beer is a bit too bitter and could use some
> > sweetness to balance it out - anything I can add to the keg for this?
> >
> > Thanks!
> >
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Date: 23 Oct 2006 14:51:48
From: John 'Shaggy' Kolesar
Subject: Re: Cleaning gas lines
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On 23 2006 03:50:29 -0700, <yajsmith@triad.rr.com > wrote:
> John, where can you get these check valves for the gas lines? Thanks,
Sometimes, regulators or manifolds have them built in. It's possible that
you have one already and just don't know it. However, I'd feel more
comfortable double checking.
If you need to add them, either a hardware store should carry them (also
known as one-way valves) or larger homebrew stores should have them.
Here's one that's designed to mount directly to your regulator and has
a barbed fitting for the tubing.
http://morebeer.com/product.html?product_id=16208
This one is designed to go "in line" and has barbed fittings on both sides.
http://morebeer.com/product.html?product_id=16402
John.
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Date: 23 Oct 2006 08:31:01
From: Dan Logcher
Subject: Re: Cleaning gas lines
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yajsmith@triad.rr.com wrote:
> John, where can you get these check valves for the gas lines? Thanks,
I'm not John, but you can get check valves from Brewers Discount.
http://www.rcbequip.com/productCat15953.ctl or a shutoff with check
valve http://www.northernbrewer.com/gas-handling.html
I went with the shutoff w/ check valve 1/4" Flare fitting so I could
easily remove gas lines for cleaning or attach longer lengths. It really
helped when beer got back in the line from barometric pressure changes
and an over filled keg. No beer ever entered the regulator.
--
Dan
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