Storing an empty keg

Brewing Processes
1

I know, I know.  Why is it empty?

While it sits empty is there a rec’d way to store it.  Options:

1.) Clean and dry, open on the top
2.) Clean and dry, closed lid
3.) Clean and dry, closed lid and CO2’d w/ 7-10 lbs (to make sure there is pressure when you goto use it again)
* 4.) Clean and dry keep Sani’d 1/4% filled
5.) Stack em up, rinsed, till several are
6.) Other options?
Please fill in X and Y with your posts :tup:

Thanks gize

*Most popular, but all are ok.  Just make sure they are cleaned and sani’d before the next use

2

I usually clean, sanitize, charge with co2 and leave them like that. although one often just stays full of sanitizer.

3

I usually do (1) with the keg upside down.

4

I also do #1 but not upside down.  I just rest the lid over the opening.

5

I do #1 with the keg upside down to keep dust out.  I have also done #3 with 12 psi on (because that is what the regulator is set to).  I always sanitize right before filling.

6

After my kegs are clean and dry, I hit them with about 10 psi.  If they’re not still pressurized when I go to use them, I know they’re leaky and need attention before use.

7

#3, for the reasons Denny stated. If it’s still pressurized when I go to fill it, I know there are no leaks. I also sanitize right before filling.

8

I store my kegs sanitized and pressurized. I rinse with a bit more sanitizer right before filling as well.

Now bottles, I store those upside down.

9

#3 for me.

10

Is it bad to leave StarSan in the keg for long periods of time?  Say 2 weeks or a month?

11

I do what Mort does.  There’s always a little bit of sanitizer left in them, so they’re not dry.

I agree with Denny on charging them with some CO2 so you know if they’re leaky when you go to fill them.

Even though they’re stored sanitized they get fresh batch of sanitizer and a flush of CO2 before filling.

To be completely honest, though, sometimes they are “stored” just as they are when the keg kicks.  I tend to get lazy and will clean them when I need them or clean them in batches.

12

I typically rinse, PBW or Oxy soak, hot rinse, sanitize, purge/pressurize CO2 and store. As Denny stated, if the keg will hold pressure while in storage, it should maintain pressure during kegging/serving. I keep my kegs pressurized while in storage.

13

My routine is to clean, sanitize, fill with beer, drink beer, repeat. I only care about the time between step two and three.

14

Ha, now I don’t feel so bad!  I don’t normally clean mine until I need to refill.  Once they kick I just let them sit till I need to refill and then clean.

15

Yeah, I clean them in batches too, so a lot of times some of them are sitting around dirty.  I definitely store the dirty ones pressurized, it makes them easier to clean if everything stays a bit damp.

16

If I need to clean one keg, I clean all of my dirty kegs. I then store sanitized, with a bit of pressure, and a plastic bag over the top. I resanitize before filling.

17

Same here. The Keg Washer is a bit too much set up in an apartment for only one keg. We tag team the cleaning when 7-8 kegs get stacked up.

18

I clean in batches too.  I curretnly have 5 or 6 dirty kegs sitting by the deep sink.  Once I get around to cleaning them I will clean and rinse, run sanitizer through them and then pressurize them for storage.  The same as others have said and fro the same reasons.

The one difference is I don’t resanitize before using them.  I probably should but never have.  I dump the little puddle of star san out before I fill them with beer but that’s it.

Paul

19

I store them usually under pressure with about a gallon of Starsan. I pour the starsan in, put it under pressure, shake it all up, and let it sit. When its time to rack, I run some through the out tube (to sanitize the dip tube and tap) I shake it up again, and pour back out the starsan.

20

My process, too. It also gives me a convenient source of Starsan to run through a dirty beer line or picnic tap.