Another question for line cleaners

[edramshaw]

Here is a question that I think I know the answer to but would like to hear others experience with the matter. When cleaning a system I find sometimes (usually with the longer draw systems) that after I rinse and put everything back together that the beer comes out foamy as I am trying to refill the lines with beer. I usually pull it through but sometimes it doesn't want to clear up. I THINK what is happening is that the lines and such were warmed up through the cleaning process and everything needs time to reacclimate itself before things will pour right. Is this a sound assumption? I will usually just leave it and hope for the best and so far I have had no calls complaining about problem beer so it does clear up. If this is in fact normal than it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to try and pull it through (till it clears) because you are simply wasting beer and no one wants to do that. FYI, this is a long draw (100 foot or so) brand new glycol system that was working fine prior to cleaning. Let me know what you guys think.

[Draught Prophet]

I do a final rinse with ice water. I fill the bucket with 1/3 ice then cold water and then run that through. I do this after the final rinse.

Some will say that it is redundant, essentially rinsing twice, but I am a big believer in ensuring that the lines are completely free of cleaning solution and it chills the lines down as well.

[ernestbud]

that is wxactly what is happening the lines get warm they will clear up after a few minutes you just have to make sure your solution is completely out of the system

[royalflush]

To errase any doubt in your workmanship on these 100 foot lines. The ice water is a good test. In any case the beer should not be wasted when packing the lines.

[Scott Zuhse]

This is a normal occurrence particularly if a warm wash (ideal) is utilized. Some technicians will turn the power supply off to the glycol pump so that the glycol power pack is not working against the warm cleaning solution and thus the bath temperature will not rise.

Once cleaning and rinsing is complete, the pump is powered back on and the cold bath will be more effective in bringing the beer temperature down. Simply fill the lines with beer until you see foam and shut the faucet. Over time the gas will repack into the beer. No need to waste a lot of foam. The problem with this method is that if the pump is not turned back on you will receive a phone call to come back and troubleshoot.

Be careful rinsing with ice water. Ice machines can have significant amounts of bacteria in the ice which resides near the bottom of the ice bin. You would not want to impart bacteria into your beer system right after cleaning. Be certain that the ice being utilized is clean and from the top.

[Draught Prophet]

Great points, Scott. I always shut off the line chiller before cleaning.

Good call on the ice. I've see the bottom of those machines before, and it ain't pretty!