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Author Topic: Cleaning used keg kettles  (Read 5226 times)

Offline beerstache

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Cleaning used keg kettles
« on: October 10, 2010, 02:22:35 pm »
Hello All,

I just purchased 2 used 1/2 barrels with the tops removed from my local brewery and they need to be cleaned.  Any recommendations on what to use?
It looks like there is a build up of Beer Stone or Calcium deposits on the inside, can I use a vinegar solution on stainless steel?
Also whats good to clean up the outside of the kegs for a newer look?
Thanks

Offline euge

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Re: Cleaning used keg kettles
« Reply #1 on: October 10, 2010, 02:33:08 pm »
Bar Keepers friend for the outside. Maybe PBW for the inside. 
The first principle is that you must not fool yourself, and you are the easiest person to fool. -Richard P. Feynman

Laws are spider-webs, which catch the little flies, but cannot hold the big ones. -Anacharsis

Offline tubercle

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Re: Cleaning used keg kettles
« Reply #2 on: October 10, 2010, 02:56:52 pm »
Hello All,

I just purchased 2 used 1/2 barrels with the tops removed from my local brewery and they need to be cleaned.  Any recommendations on what to use?
It looks like there is a build up of Beer Stone or Calcium deposits on the inside, can I use a vinegar solution on stainless steel?
Also whats good to clean up the outside of the kegs for a newer look?
Thanks

  Yes you can use vinegar on ss. Most industrial acids are stored in ss drums. Or, what EUGE said.
Sweet Caroline where the Sun rises over the deep blue sea and sets somewhere beyond Tennessee

Offline IHBHS

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    • Ice Harbor Brewing Co.
Re: Cleaning used keg kettles
« Reply #3 on: October 12, 2010, 01:08:36 am »
Acid #5 works great for removing beer stone.
Ice Harbor Brewing Co.
www.iceharbor.com

Offline tom

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Re: Cleaning used keg kettles
« Reply #4 on: October 12, 2010, 12:42:08 pm »
BKF (or any other stainless steel cleaner) and some elbow grease (not steel wool) should get it clean. You could also fill-er up with hot water and PBW to loosen it up first if you want.
Brew on

Offline dak0415

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Re: Cleaning used keg kettles
« Reply #5 on: October 12, 2010, 01:23:56 pm »
I save my spent/dirty starsan for just these occasions.  When my kettle starts to get a stone buildup, I toss the old starsan (acid) into the kettle and leave it overnight.  The stone wipes off with a sponge the next day.  I was going to get some Acid #5 but tried this before I ordered any.
Dave Koenig
Anything worth doing - is worth overdoing!

Offline beerstache

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Re: Cleaning used keg kettles
« Reply #6 on: October 13, 2010, 05:29:39 pm »
Thanks for all the reponses guys!  I read an article by John Palmer on cleaning stainless steel and am using his two step approach by using PBW first than using CLR to remove beer stone.  I dont have CLR on hand but do have Lime-Away, will that work and not hurt SS?

Offline IHBHS

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    • Ice Harbor Brewing Co.
Re: Cleaning used keg kettles
« Reply #7 on: October 13, 2010, 07:05:22 pm »
Should work.  It's pretty much the same thing.  I'd run the Lime-Away first then run the PBW, that way you get the beer stone off first then clean the keggle.
Ice Harbor Brewing Co.
www.iceharbor.com

Offline Kit B

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Re: Cleaning used keg kettles
« Reply #8 on: October 14, 2010, 01:24:33 pm »
CLR

Offline beerstache

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Re: Cleaning used keg kettles
« Reply #9 on: October 15, 2010, 02:37:01 pm »
I cleaned the kegs with PBW first and then used Lime Away and are they sparkling clean and ready to go!
Thanks All!

Offline wingnut

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  • Plainwell MI
Re: Cleaning used keg kettles
« Reply #10 on: November 01, 2010, 10:59:22 am »
If you want your kettle to have a "mirror" finish, I have taken polishing compund or just 2000 or 3000 grit sand paper to the cornies I have to clean them up.  I would probably not spend my time on doing that with a kettle, but shiny SS makes every man green with envy!!

Glad the CLR/PBW worked for you!
-- Wingnut - Cheers!