How to Reuse a Home Brew Keg

Homemade beers can be just as good, or better, than what you buy commercially.

Home brew kits are popular with both amateur and expert home brewers because they allow for detail and more sophisticated techniques, but they also allow the beginner to brew a batch of beer with little or no knowledge of the process. Just about any home brewing equipment, such as a keg, can be reused for more batches, provided they are cleaned properly. The beer making process is extremely susceptible to contamination, so cleaning your equipment is a must. Does this Spark an idea?

Print this article

Diversol or bleach

Instructions

- 1
  
  Remove the lid or stopper from the beer keg. There are many different beer keg designs, but all should have a removable lid.
- 2
  
  Mix your preferred cleaning product with the appropriate amount of water. For Diversol, which is a popular home brewing cleaning product distinguished by its pink color, mix 5 tsp. per gallon of water inside the keg. Replace the lid and thoroughly slosh the cleaning solution around inside the keg. Let the solution sit in the keg for 20 minutes.
- 3
  
  Mix 1 tbsp. of bleach per gallon of water inside the keg if the keg is stainless steel. Diversol corrodes stainless steel and isn't recommended for stainless steel products. Replace the lid and slosh the cleaning solution around inside the leg. Let it sit in the keg for 20 minutes.
- 4
  
  Remove the keg lid and dump out the cleaning solution. Rinse the keg and the lid thoroughly with hot water. Turn both upside down on a clean surface and let them dry. After they're dry, the keg and keg lid will be reusable for another batch of home brewing.