8 replies to this topic

[Dean Palmer]

I had one of my kettles apart recently for some refitting, and decided to do my yearly valve cleaning. As we should know first of all, the kettle valve is sanitized by the heat of the boil each time we brew, so the debris and residuals inside are not really a concern. I have measured the temps in and around kettle valves during the boil to verify that fact. The valves I use are the typical 3-piece units with NPT threaded fittings that are offered by brewing suppliers. They are not "sanitary" units with sanitary tri-clamp fittings. Even the "sanitary" version will still harbor debris, so don't think the extra money spent will eliminate this debris in all cases. This valve was cleaned after every brew day and appeared clean to the eye. It was not broken down and taken apart for the past year.I don't plan on taking my valves apart each time, but this shows what can hide there. This is a PBW soak.

[pods8]

Probably mostly scale and such. Personally I wouldn't really freak about it as long as you're chilling after the keg, that's the nice thing about boiling wort...

[realbeerguy]

Probably mostly scale and such. Personally I wouldn't really freak about it as long as you're chilling after the keg, that's the nice thing about boiling wort...

What you have is wort that is trapped in the seat cavity. The only true sanitary valve (in a small size, 1/2"-1")you could use is a sanitary diaphragm valve with a TFE/viton backed diaphragm. Dean's right, the heat from the boil should neutralize any nasties. The yearly cleaning should do the trick.

[boo boo]

And while on the topic of cleaning valves, anyone take apart their dispensing valves lately?I've taken to taking them apart and cleaning them as well as the hoses when a keg blows.The first time I saw what was in there almost made me puke.

[pods8]

I've taken to taking them apart and cleaning them as well as the hoses when a keg blows.The first time I saw what was in there almost made me puke.

Yeah they can get nasty, good thing there is alcohol in beer.

[MtnBrewer]

And while on the topic of cleaning valves, anyone take apart their dispensing valves lately?I've taken to taking them apart and cleaning them as well as the hoses when a keg blows.The first time I saw what was in there almost made me puke.

I just did a full clean on my kegerator, lines, taps and all. Flushed the lines with BLC and gave the faucets a BLC soak too. The faucets weren't all that bad but the lines were pretty foul.Back on the subject of ball valves, I don't think I've ever cleaned mine other than running a brush through them after use. Guess I oughta do that.

[tag]

The 2-piece ball valves can be taken apart too. Yucky.

[djinkc]

Crap, I have one of the cheap brass 2-piece valves on the kettle. I've tried cracking one of those before with wrenches - no luck. I think the only way I could get mine apart would be with a bench mounted vise, which I don't have anymore.I did do a wort stability test a few brews ago though (think that's it - what chuck d posted about). It was good after about 4 - 5 days in a sealed Mason jar at room temps.Of course that sample was taken before I had to put my sanitized hand in the wort to start a siphon . My diy hopstopper clogged because I dropped the pellet hop bag messing around when I put the IC in. That stout still turned out fine - on tap now.Anyway, there must be some heat sanitizing going on in the boil kettles we have with valves.I did tear down the 21 (?) part SS valves that came with the Blichmann a couple days ago. Had not done that for multiple brews. There was a tiny amount of crud, same as last time. But there's some ETOH going through those.Guess I ought to replace my tap lines though. I cut off 1 foot from them (going from 6 to 5 feet) to see if that would help. It did but haven't replaced them yet. I saved one of the pieces, really nice green hop tint to it

[CoastieSteve]

... and just when I thought I was getting all caught up with spring cleaning... aggg !