Cleaning beer lines

[delzep]

What chemicals do you use to clean beer lines?

[phildo79]

I have only just recently started kegging but I was planning to flush the lines out with starsan as soon as the keg is empty. When this one is empty, I'll have another batch to put straight in, so it's no biggy. But even if I didn't, I'd still be flushing the lines. I'm hoping that the sooner you do it, the less caustic the chemicals need to be.

I could be way off with that though. However, a keg is just one big bottle. So hopefully the same principles apply.

[CH]

Starsan only sanitises it doesn't clean. There are specific purple beer line cleaners on the market I pick them up in Makro in the North. They are like 7stg for 5l I've had the same one for years.
If you put into solution your normal cleaner and circulate with a pump for 20mins and then a big rinse. Make sure to rinse and not soak overnight as otherwise the plastic will absorb, especially chlorine cleaning agents.

[johnrm]

Ahem, sanitises.

[CH]

Yeah what he said, edited forums are never good places with booze on board

[phildo79]

Would water and thin bleach do the same job? Fill the keg, hook it up to the gas and flush the line?

[delzep]

Was considering getting Jantex line cleaning from Nisbets. Anyone any experience with it?

[dcalnan]

I've the jantex stuff. Again I got 5 litres and it's probably going to last year's depending on the expirary date.

[CH]

Just looking at the dilution rate that's gonna last years, as I said don't be tempted to make strong doses tho, you'll taint your gear
https://www.nisbets.ie/jantex-beer-line-cleaner-5-litre/gc977

[delzep]

It'll last longer than me I reckon 

Saw this on youtube, looks a good idea

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-fWSF9k34M

Any recommended submersible pumps for this (cheap ones  )

[delzep]

Actually, I think he overcomplicates things on that video. Can have the pump output tubing (3/8" hose) with a JG 3/8" coupling to the 3/8" hose for the beer line (or 3/8" to 5/16" for a nitro line) I think

In fact, a splitter on the output side could clean 2 lines at once

[CH]

100% agreed, Christ talk about over engineering those Chinese carbonation caps help, a simple solar or cheaper again pond pump will do the job

[delzep]

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3-6-10-15-25W-Ultra-Quiet-Submersible-Water-Fountain-Pump-Filter-Fish-Pond-Aquarium-Water/32850608523.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.17.1d2f46a75fsznC&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_2_10065_10068_319_317_5733915_10696_10924_10084_453_454_10083_10618_5733715_10920_10921_10304_10922_10307_10820_10821_537_10302_536_5733815_10059_10884_5734015_10887_100031_321_322_10103,searchweb201603_51,ppcSwitch_0&algo_expid=7a082fd6-d3ab-4652-8f99-c7575b635286-2&algo_pvid=7a082fd6-d3ab-4652-8f99-c7575b635286

There are many pumps like this on ali express, ebay etc. Are the threaded outlets usually the same size and anyone know what size to get a JG fitting (or barbed if needs be)?

[delzep]

OK, I think this will be my plan

This pump with 1/2" stem outlet - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07589GXKT/ref=twister_B07JQ5MWWS?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 with silicone hose (with jubilee clip) on that stem outlet. At the other end of the silicone hose I'll get a 1/2" stem x 3/8" JG fitting which I can attach my beer line to. Will get another fitting for 5/16" line too.

Should work 

[Sokratees9]

Some good info in here. I've just emptied my first keg and now need to think about cleaning the line. Going to buy a pump, but I still don't know what I need to buy to connect the line from the pump to the corny keg connector on the beer line. I know it's the valve part that is on the keg, but I don't know where to buy that part, or if there is a good workaround for it. Any links or ideas would be great

Or should I just take the corny keg connector off (it's got a JG) and dump it in the beer line solution and just connect the line from the pump to the beer line via another JG? I think that's what the last poster is suggesting