Keeping my kegerator clean until use

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by mclaughlindw4, Apr 20, 2015.

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  1. mclaughlindw4

    mclaughlindw4 Initiate (0) Jul 2, 2009 Maine

    I posted this in HBT a minute ago but want to ask here since I usually get more timely advice here. For some reason over there it takes like a day for my posts to even show up....

    I just bought a used kegerator with dual tap tower and it's gonna be a month or two before I can put any beer in it.

    The guy that sold it to me flushed PBW through the lines and then water so everything is clean. But I need to keep it clean until I make some beer, since the lines still have water in them. Currently the fridge is off.

    I was thinking about filling the lines with starsan. I want to use the fridge as a ferm chamber for the next beer so I would have the temp in the mid 60's inside for the next month.

    Can I just fill the lines with starsan? Is there a better way? I have iodide too. I'm worried about corroding the perlick faucets with the starsan if I run it through them and then just let it sit for a while. Is there another option? I don't really want to take the thing apart this soon seems how it is all clean right now.
     
    #1 mclaughlindw4, Apr 20, 2015
  2. scurvy311

    scurvy311 Savant (1,135) Dec 3, 2005 Louisiana

    I've never messed with beer lines in this situation, but if they were clean correctly and rinsed out well I would just leave them alone. Maybe blow the standing water out of them with CO2. I would rewash them with PBW, rinse, and sanitize them before I use them again though. My $0.02
     
    #2 scurvy311, Apr 20, 2015
  3. PortLargo

    PortLargo Pooh-Bah (1,831) Oct 19, 2012 Florida
    Pooh-Bah

    If I had just bought a used kegerator I would toss the lines and start with new. Pretty sure the seller didn't replace the lines before putting in on the market. You have two lines? . . . at about 70ยข/foot you are looking at less than 15 bucks and are guaranteed a good start. You didn't ask, but I would buy the perlick washer-kit and do a complete faucet disassembly/cleaning while waiting. Respect your beer . . .
     
    #3 PortLargo, Apr 20, 2015
    billandsuz, epic1856, wspscott and 1 other person like this.
  4. mclaughlindw4

    mclaughlindw4 Initiate (0) Jul 2, 2009 Maine

    I know the lines are perfectly good now. I can only see replacing them if I can't keep them this way for a few months. I suppose I could consider replacing and doing the washer-kit. But I don't think it needs it. It's all in excellent shape and had beer on top before I bought it.
     
    #4 mclaughlindw4, Apr 21, 2015
  5. wspscott

    wspscott Pooh-Bah (1,958) May 25, 2006 Kentucky
    Pooh-Bah

    If you trust that the lines are clean, then I see no reason why filling them with starsan and letting them sit until you are ready would not work, that's what I do with kegs when I clean them.
     
    #5 wspscott, Apr 21, 2015
  6. Theortiz01

    Theortiz01 Initiate (0) Jun 7, 2013 Texas

    Get all the water out of the lines and just do a sanitizer rinse before you put the keg on, it will be fine.
     
    #6 Theortiz01, Apr 21, 2015
  7. billandsuz

    billandsuz Pooh-Bah (2,097) Sep 1, 2004 New York
    Pooh-Bah

    the lines are not perfectly good now. trust someone who has been paid to evaluate the cleanliness of lines.

    if you don't think the lines need any help, then just leave them alone. but for a few dollars and less time than it takes to acid rinse, caustic flush, water flush, drain... just buy new lines. or leave them alone. but they are not in excellent shape.

    Cheers.
     
    #7 billandsuz, Apr 21, 2015
  8. mclaughlindw4

    mclaughlindw4 Initiate (0) Jul 2, 2009 Maine

    Ok thanks everyone for the suggestions. I guess I'll sleep on it and decide what to do tomorrow. I plugged the thing so at least it's cold now.
     
    #8 mclaughlindw4, Apr 21, 2015
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