Clean your god damn kegs!
So, I’ve been on a bit of a hiatus the last few months. Most people think the holidays run from late September through December, not in this house. Between how birthdays land and everything else, my “holiday season” stretches well into January before I get a brief break.
What does this have to do with brewing?
I’ve got three kegs downstairs that have been sitting untouched, because I simply haven’t had time to clean them. If you’re not sure what these are they look like this —–> Ball Lock Keg | Corny Keg
These were the last survivors of three batches brewed between late summer and November. I stocked up for the holidays, and between myself, family, friends, and whoever else wandered through, the beer’s long gone.
What’s left now?
Gross, neglected kegs.
Recommended Gear (What I Actually Use)
- OxiClean Free – cheap and works like PBW (you can find this at a grocery store)
- Keg O‑ring kit – replace them every cleaning
- Dip tube brush – long enough to reach the bottom
- Star San sanitizer – for after cleaning
- Keg lube – keeps the lid sealing properly
So here’s a simple, no-nonsense way to clean filthy homebrew kegs, even if they’ve been sitting way longer than you planned.
Why This Method Works
What You’ll Need
- Hot water (and I mean hot)
- OxiClean
(Works just as well as PBW and costs way less) - Optional: a scrub brush
- Long-handled toilet brush from the dollar store works great
- Your gross-ass kegs
Step 1: Rinse & Loosen the Gunk
It’s currently zero degrees outside, so this is an indoor job.
Find a source of hot water:
- Bathtub is best (better flow)
- Sink works, but you’ll be wrestling an oversized metal cylinder…..good luck
Dump whatever’s left in the keg. I ferment and serve from kegs, so there’s usually a bit of everything inside. If you transfer from a fermenter, congrats, you’ve got less mess.
Rinse the keg with hot water, then fill it about halfway. Seal it up and shake it like it owes you money. Let the heat soften everything stuck inside, then dump it out.
If you’re interested in how I ferment in kegs take a look at this write up! Keg Fermentation: 10 Essential Steps On How I Keg Ferment the Right Way
Step 2: OxiClean Soak
- Add about a tablespoon of OxiClean to the empty keg
- Fill completely with hot water
- Seal it, lay it on its side, and roll it around
Personally, I sit in a rocking chair with the keg in my lap and rock back and forth for about five minutes. Do what works.
If anything is still caked on:
- Repeat the rinse + soak
- Use the scrub brush between rounds if needed
Once the inside is spotless, rinse thoroughly.
You’re done, right?
Wrong.
Step 3: Disassemble Everything (This Is Where Infections Hide)
Don’t Skip This Part
The keg shell may be clean, but the posts, dip tubes, and O-rings are usually nasty. This is where problems start.
What You’ll Need
- OxiClean
- Dawn dish soap (or Power Wash)
- A sacrificial Tupperware container
- Adjustable wrench
Teardown Steps
- Remove the keg lid and carefully take off the lid O-ring
- Durable, but don’t nick it
- Wash the lid and O-ring in hot soapy water
- Soak if needed
- Remove the gas and liquid posts
- Try not to mix them up
- Scrub and soak the posts
- Pay attention to the spring valves, stuff hides in there
- Remove the dip tubes
- Long tube = liquid side
- Short tube = gas side
- Clean the dip tubes
- Pipe cleaners work great
- Fishing line + steel wool also works in a pinch
Once you think they’re clean….do it again. Overkill is not the enemy here.
Step 4: Reassembly
- Install the long dip tube on the OUT (liquid) side
- Reattach the liquid post (please tell me you didn’t mix them up)
- Install the short dip tube on the gas side
- Tighten firmly, not aggressively, you can bend things
Carefully reinstall the lid O-ring.
If you’ve got a little petroleum jelly, apply a light smear to help with sealing and longevity.
Ready to Brew Again?
If you’re cleaning kegs, you’re probably gearing up for your next batch.
Here’s my guide to brewing your first beer on a budget, the exact setup I used.
Broke beer and what you can make with 10 bucks
Optional but Smart: Pressure Test
- Hook up CO₂ and pressurize the keg
- Mix Dawn and water and splash it on:
- Lid
- Posts
- Look for bubbles
Small leak? Reseat the lid or snug the post a bit more.
Big leak? Something’s bent or broken, and that takes real effort.
Final Notes
Congrats, you now have a clean keg.
If you’ve got more, repeat until your backlog is gone. If not, you’re done.
Just remember:
Clean now ≠ sanitized later.
Always sanitize before filling with fresh beer.
My Recommended Keg Cleaning Gear
- OxiClean Free
- Keg O‑ring kit
- Dip tube brush
- Star San
- Keg lube
- Cheap CO₂ charger
- Budget-friendly keg cleaning kit
Until next time,
Cheers
Leave a Reply