13 replies to this topic

[Hillbilly Deluxe]

Is PBW good enough to rid the kegs of Root Beer taste and smell? I want to use them for beer but wasn't sure...

[gnef]

First is to replace all the o-rings. A hot PBW soak, followed by an extended soak in concentrated starsan solution should help. If there are still flavors left over, you may also need to replace the poppets since they have an o-ring as well.

[shaggaroo]

Is PBW good enough to rid the kegs of Root Beer taste and smell? I want to use them for beer but wasn't sure...

I would suggest also changing all of the o-rings or at the very least soaking all of the o-rings in PBW too...oops, gnef beat me to it

Edited by shaggaroo, 29 May 2009 - 04:00 PM.

[MolBasser]

Caustic is your friend.BrewBasser

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

Caustic is your friend.BrewBasser

true - o-rings should still be replaced.

[MolBasser]

true - o-rings should still be replaced.

Indeed. Break down the whole keg. Replace anything rubber. Soak all SS parts in strong caustic for an hour. Hot caustic works better than RT.Nothing survives that treatment.BrewBasser

[Hillbilly Deluxe]

O.K. thanks......

[boo boo]

Indeed. Break down the whole keg. Replace anything rubber. Soak all SS parts in strong caustic for an hour. Hot caustic works better than RT.Nothing survives that treatment.BrewBasser

you keep preaching the values of caustic. you got me interested.Can you tell me if there is any available caustic that I can buy at any local store and how much should I use per gallon to get the desired results?

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

you keep preaching the values of caustic. you got me interested.Can you tell me if there is any available caustic that I can buy at any local store and how much should I use per gallon to get the desired results?

If for some reason you are unable to get your hands on caustic I was able to bring a rootbeer keg back from the dead by soaking in oxiclean. The few rubber parts I didn't replace (poppets, release valve) I soaked in a mixture of oxiclean and baking soda. This at least reduced the root beer to the point where I couldn't detect it in the beer. I've had an ESB in that keg for months now and I still can't detect any rootbeer.

[MolBasser]

you keep preaching the values of caustic. you got me interested.Can you tell me if there is any available caustic that I can buy at any local store and how much should I use per gallon to get the desired results?

Use a 3% solution w/v of lye (cheap drain cleaner is usually pure lye (NaOH)).Be careful with it, as the same reason that it cleans so well will give you a good chemical burn.It really isn't that dangerous is you pay a modicum of attention, but if you get lazy and don't pay attention it can be not so good.Working solution isn't nearly as bad as concentrated. You have plenty of time to wash off working solution before any damage occurs (a minute or so). Concentrated, you better get that off your skin pronto.Wear eye protection using caustic.BrewBasser

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

Use a 3% solution w/v of lye (cheap drain cleaner is usually pure lye (NaOH)).Be careful with it, as the same reason that it cleans so well will give you a good chemical burn.It really isn't that dangerous is you pay a modicum of attention, but if you get lazy and don't pay attention it can be not so good.Working solution isn't nearly as bad as concentrated. You have plenty of time to wash off working solution before any damage occurs (a minute or so). Concentrated, you better get that off your skin pronto.Wear eye protection using caustic.BrewBasser

I've looked for this at HD and Lowes and can't seem to find it.

[Hillbilly Deluxe]

100% Lye can be found at Menards here in Wisconsin, $5 per container.. It can be used for Blueing guns too....

[boo boo]

Use a 3% solution w/v of lye (cheap drain cleaner is usually pure lye (NaOH)).Be careful with it, as the same reason that it cleans so well will give you a good chemical burn.It really isn't that dangerous is you pay a modicum of attention, but if you get lazy and don't pay attention it can be not so good.Working solution isn't nearly as bad as concentrated. You have plenty of time to wash off working solution before any damage occurs (a minute or so). Concentrated, you better get that off your skin pronto.Wear eye protection using caustic.BrewBasser

Thanks, I'll look to the draino type cleaner to see if it is any good.

[JReigle]

E-bay is also a good source for pure lye/sodium hydroxide, you can find some good bulk deals.