[xZ1mM3r]

I used a coney keg to "brew" some homemade rootbeer, and now it smells like rootbeer inside. I am hesitant to use it for beer again because i fear that the rootbeer flavor will get into the beer. Can this happen? How can i get the smell out? Will the smell affect the beer? Thanks guys.

[euge]

Do a good soak with oxyclean or PBW. You might have to soak the posts as well. I have a small keg that needs this very same attention. Already threw out the line and soaked the QD's and tap.

Keg is next.

[Stevie]

Replacing the rings wouldn't hurt either.

[Rhoobarb]

Good luck. Root beer is like pickle juice - damn hard to eradicate. That's why most poeple that serve root beer do it in a dedicated keg on a dedicated serving line & tap.

[Joe Sr.]

Good luck. Root beer is like pickle juice - damn hard to eradicate. That's why most poeple that serve root beer do it in a dedicated keg on a dedicated serving line & tap.

Yes.  But most of our used kegs have held syrups before and some of them had to have held root beer.

I would give it a long soak with oxyclean and a detergent.  Start with hot water.  Disassemble everything and soak the posts and dip tubes.  Throw out the rubber.  After soaking, scrub everything with something like a clean toilet brush.  I would use a diptube brush, too.

Leave it open to dry out.  I've found that sealing the kegs before they dry can help capture some of the lingering odors.  Leave it open for a while.  Smell it and repeat as needed.

[Stevie]

Root beer and Dr Pepper. By far the worst.

[hopfenundmalz]

Replacing the rings wouldn't hurt either.

This, oh yeah. I have rebuilt more than a few kegs that had residual soda syrup in them. The worst was one that had contained Mountain Dew.

[HoosierBrew]

+2.  I've bought a lot of used kegs. I also had one with Mountain Dew that was a mother to clean and deodorize. Always have to change all the o-rings.