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Author Topic: Storing an empty keg  (Read 8977 times)

Offline Stevie

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Re: Storing an empty keg
« Reply #15 on: October 24, 2013, 11:09:28 am »
If I need to clean one keg, I clean all of my dirty kegs. I then store sanitized, with a bit of pressure, and a plastic bag over the top. I resanitize before filling.

Offline AmandaK

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Re: Storing an empty keg
« Reply #16 on: October 24, 2013, 11:09:47 am »

To be completely honest, though, sometimes they are "stored" just as they are when the keg kicks.  I tend to get lazy and will clean them when I need them or clean them in batches.

Ha, now I don't feel so bad!  I don't normally clean mine until I need to refill.  Once they kick I just let them sit till I need to refill and then clean.

Same here. The Keg Washer is a bit too much set up in an apartment for only one keg. We tag team the cleaning when 7-8 kegs get stacked up.
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Offline Slowbrew

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Re: Storing an empty keg
« Reply #17 on: October 24, 2013, 12:16:27 pm »
I clean in batches too.  I curretnly have 5 or 6 dirty kegs sitting by the deep sink.  Once I get around to cleaning them I will clean and rinse, run sanitizer through them and then pressurize them for storage.  The same as others have said and fro the same reasons.

The one difference is I don't resanitize before using them.  I probably should but never have.  I dump the little puddle of star san out before I fill them with beer but that's it.

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Offline garc_mall

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Re: Storing an empty keg
« Reply #18 on: October 24, 2013, 02:58:29 pm »
I store them usually under pressure with about a gallon of Starsan. I pour the starsan in, put it under pressure, shake it all up, and let it sit. When its time to rack, I run some through the out tube (to sanitize the dip tube and tap) I shake it up again, and pour back out the starsan.

Offline leejoreilly

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Re: Storing an empty keg
« Reply #19 on: October 25, 2013, 08:08:25 am »
I store them usually under pressure with about a gallon of Starsan. I pour the starsan in, put it under pressure, shake it all up, and let it sit. When its time to rack, I run some through the out tube (to sanitize the dip tube and tap) I shake it up again, and pour back out the starsan.

My process, too. It also gives me a convenient source of Starsan to run through a dirty beer line or picnic tap.

Offline redbeerman

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Re: Storing an empty keg
« Reply #20 on: October 25, 2013, 09:11:02 am »
I typically rinse, PBW or Oxy soak, hot rinse, sanitize, purge/pressurize CO2 and store. As Denny stated, if the keg will hold pressure while in storage, it should maintain pressure during kegging/serving. I keep my kegs pressurized while in storage.

This is pretty much what I do.
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Offline micsager

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Re: Storing an empty keg
« Reply #21 on: October 25, 2013, 09:22:45 am »
After my kegs are clean and dry, I hit them with about 10 psi.  If they're not still pressurized when I go to use them, I know they're leaky and need attention before use.

I do close tot hat, but I store with about 1/2 gallon water.  But, I'm with ya on the pressure, and if it ain't still pressurized, you know they need some attention.

Offline ppbrewclub

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Re: Storing an empty keg
« Reply #22 on: October 28, 2013, 07:08:45 am »
Great discussion gize...Thanks!
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Offline dkfick

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Re: Storing an empty keg
« Reply #23 on: October 28, 2013, 08:46:32 am »
I'm in the store with a small amount of sanitizer in them under pressure camp.
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Offline thetooth

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Re: Storing an empty keg
« Reply #24 on: October 28, 2013, 01:40:34 pm »
I typically rinse, PBW or Oxy soak, hot rinse, sanitize, purge/pressurize CO2 and store. As Denny stated, if the keg will hold pressure while in storage, it should maintain pressure during kegging/serving. I keep my kegs pressurized while in storage.

This is exactly what I do.

Offline dbarber

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Re: Storing an empty keg
« Reply #25 on: October 29, 2013, 06:45:12 am »
If I don't need them I will wait and clean several kegs at a time with PBW.  After they are clean, I sanitize and pressurize and store them that way.  They always get a fresh dose of sanitizer before filling.
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Offline Roger Burns

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Re: Storing an empty keg
« Reply #26 on: November 29, 2013, 07:23:48 am »
FWIW, I clean in batches, too. I'll breakdown all kegs and clean with pbw, replace o-rings yearly, and fill one keg completely with StarSan. Then I push the StarSan through to the next cleaned keg, so there's no oxygen left in.  I store pressurized and upside down. I do not re-sanitize. I have 10 waiting for me right now...
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Offline narcout

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Re: Storing an empty keg
« Reply #27 on: November 29, 2013, 08:53:12 am »
I store kegs clean and dry with the lids on.  Keeping them filled with sanitizer seems like overkill to me.

Typically, I just rinse everything with hot water, but once every couple of cycles I'll give them an oxyclean soak.

Everything is sanitized before use with Iodophor.
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Offline brewsumore

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Re: Storing an empty keg
« Reply #28 on: December 15, 2013, 01:52:06 pm »
I store my ball locks clean/sanitized/dry upright with lid on.  After reading this I might start storing pressurized.  I very lightly lube o-rings with keg lube and then re-sanitize the kegs with Star San before using.

I've tried cleaning cornies with Mark's keg washer, but went back to breaking them down and giving everything a good soak with PLC or PBW, via the bucket method.  I am going to head down to my basement now and use the keg washer to clean and sanitize a bunch of carboys that were only rinsed out, from wine making.  It works great for that!

Offline duxx

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Re: Storing an empty keg
« Reply #29 on: December 15, 2013, 02:14:45 pm »
Like most of you I clean mine in batches and leave 5 or 6 ounces of Star San in them.  I haven't pressurized the empty kegs but that is a great idea!  I've got 4 or 5 already cleaned kegs. The next time I go down to the basement I think I will pressurize them.
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