Beer Line Cleaning (Properly) NEED Information

[vbarc1]

I'm new to cleaning beer lines. I have a question regarding the proper way to clean the lines. I've inherited an older machine that used to have an electric motor mounted on it. It has three glass tubes , 3 valves and 4 hoses. The hoses are one for incoming water, to to faucets & one drain hose. My question is can you properly clean the beer lines with water pressure and cleaning solution only or do you need the motor to make it high pressure?

[Scott Zuhse]

Motors are attched to a pump which circulate a mix of water and chemical through the system. Be careful not to exceed pressures which could burst lines (40 PSIG). Check this link to a line cleaning video for additional info.

Scott Zuhse, Instructor Micro Matic Dispense Institute

[Beer Dr]

The machine your describing was designed to send technical quality glass spheres (glass beads) through the lines for a scrubbing action on the inside of the lines. This type machine has become obsolete with the introduction of barrier tubing and beer pumps, as it will destroy both. WE still have several of them but no longer have them in service

[Royal Flush]

Any circulating pumps that has to keep the pump - prime by re-circulating that same old bath water back and forth threw out the system and is filled with all of whats been removed from the beer lines tubing walls is a primitive and antiquated process.

[Scott Zuhse]

If the circulation system is used correctly, it is by far the most effective method for cleaning most systems. Never re-circulate until you are absolutely certain that the majority of the contaminated solution has been flushed down the drain. After this has been accomplished, refresh your chemical solution and then place return tube into the pick up tank.

While this is taking place, it would be a excellent time to clean the couplers and faucets, check other aspects of system, strengthen relationship with your customer, clean POS, record competitive info, etc., etc., etc.

If you really want to clean up the system, after the alkaline wash and rinse, hit it with an acid wash and rinse.

Scott Zuhse, Instructor Micro Matic Dispense Institute

[vbarc1]

I took over a business that was only soaking the cleaning solution in the beer lines the flusing it down the drain. I started recirculating the cleaner through the lines with a recirculating pump, as Scott Suhse and other members of this forumn advised. The first time I used the recirculating pumps I was shocked and amazed at the amount of dirt & buildup that was removed from the lines. When I have a dirty line I do dump the solution and start with a new batch until I'm satisfied with the results. I have noticed a tremendous difference in soaking versus recirculating the cleaner through the lines. Thanks for all the help and friendly e-Mails.

[royalflush]

In any beer line cleaning application, the beer line cleaning solutions must do the actual cleaning. Any devices is just the vehicle used to move the best cleaning solution threw the narrow passage ways and pack all the internal parts with the best brewer approved cleaning solutions.