Using a Draft Beer Line Cleaning System
Whether you are planning to buy a new draft beer line cleaning system or are just looking to make sure that the one you already have is working, there are some things that you should know. First, there are many types of cleaners, such as Gravity and Hydrogen Peroxide based, Caustic and chlorinated. These products can help you clean off deposits and mineral buildups and eliminate off-flavors and other contaminants that can ruin the taste of your draft beer.
Gravity cleaning kits
A gravity beer line cleaning kit is one way to clean your kegerator. These kits use Earth’s gravity to pull the cleaning solution through your beer line and into a bucket under your kegerator. You may also choose to use a pressurized beer line cleaning kit. These systems are more expensive but offer the convenience of no need to disassemble anything.
There are many beer line cleaning kits, but the deluxe hand pump pressurized cleaning kit is the most popular. This device connects to the bottom of your beer line, pumps the clean solution through the line, and links to a beer line fitting.
Another option is the Liquid Logistics cleaning kit. This includes a ball lifter and cleaning brushes. It is designed to remove beer stone, mold, and bacteria.
Hydrogen Peroxide based cleaners
Liquid Logistics is one of US’s leading companies using a non-toxic hydrogen peroxide-based cleaning solution for their beer lines. The company’s product works better than the usual beer line cleaners, leaving no toxic residue on the beer.
Liquid Logistics offers a maintenance program that protects draught beer systems and ensures fresh, flavorful beer. The system also helps prevent biofilm formation, reducing yeast buildup risk.
Stabilized hydrogen peroxide beer line cleaning solutions kill all bacteria and yeast in under 15 minutes. The key breaks down into water and oxygen, leaving no harmful residues on the line. Its shelf life is approximately two years.
The original beer line cleaning fluids have been around for about 40 years and are still unchanged. Today, they come in a variety of different varieties.
Caustic/chlorinated cleaners
Traditionally, cleaning kegs in a brewery was done with alkaline liquid cleaning solutions. These solutions typically contain sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, or phosphoric acid.
Although these cleaners effectively kill bacteria and other microbes, they may also harm your health if not used correctly. To reduce this risk, ensure that your employees are well-equipped with the proper protective gear and follow the manufacturer’s directions.
The first step is to rinse the beer line properly. Ideally, the line should be soaked in the solution for fifteen minutes. Then, flush it with clean water. The pressure should be at most 60 psi. If you have a larger pump, you can double the flow rate.
In addition to removing the beer stones, these chemicals can help to kill biofilms. A biofilm is a scum that forms on surfaces. This may not be hazardous to humans, but it can affect the taste of the beer.
Mineral deposits
Keeping your draft beer line clean ensures you get the best-tasting beer. Unfortunately, many contaminants can negatively affect the quality of your beer, including yeast, bacteria, and mineral deposits.
These deposits can affect the taste and smell of your beer. They can also affect how smoothly your draught beer system works.
Cleaning your draft beer line with the correct chemical solution will help eliminate the buildup of these contaminants. There are two types of cleaning chemicals you can use. The first is an alkaline cleaning chemical. These chemicals attack bacteria and mold. The second type is an acid-cleaning chemical. These chemicals dissolve mineral-type deposits.
It would help if you used the cleaning solution according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. In addition, it is essential to read the material safety data sheets (MSDS) that outline the proper procedures for using the chemical.
Off-flavors
Keeping your draught beer system clean is essential to the quality of your beer. A dirty system can ruin the flavor of your brew and may even spoil the beer itself. This is why you must use the proper tools to keep your draft beer system in tip-top shape. Luckily, there are some easy ways to keep your draught system in excellent condition.
The best way to clean a beer line is with a solution designed specifically for this purpose. This can be an acidic solution, a sanitizer, or a combination. These products are designed to dissolve mold and bacteria while not leaving any lingering odors or residues behind.
An acidic solution is commonly used in a 2 to 3% solution. It should be mixed in a bucket with water, then run through the lines and faucets.
