DIY Keg and Carboy Washer

[daryl]

I am working on the cost of the parts (without the pump), as soon as we have that, we can put out a price per member...and the number of members we can accommodate.

I'll try to get that worked out this week.

[czubak]

Can you share a link to what pump you planned to use?

My cleaner will be a bit different since I rarely ever use a carboy, so I am using all 3/4" PVC for mine

[daryl]

The only difference between doing carboys and kegs is that you can remove the portion that drives the quick disconnects for the gas and beverage lines.

For this build, we will copy and provide the parts for assembly for the cleaner design documented by the URL provided in the first post of this thread.

Everyone will need to provide their own pump; I can help tweak the design for specific pumps - but it will likely require another trip the Menards/Lowes/Home Depot to finish.

If you deviate to 3/4", for any given pump you may increase water flow, but the exit pressure will be lower than if you use 1/2" (i.e. the column of water you would observe if there were no keg or carboy in place, will be higher using 1/2" PVC versus using the same length of 3/4" PCV).

[tony b]

I'm considering ordering this nozzle for mine. There are 2 similar brands. Went with the cheaper one.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073GHFP6J?th=1

For others to note: this will not fit through the hole in glass carboys. It will work fine on kegs and Better Bottles. The ball is 40 mm in diameter.

Daryl, I assume that I'll need an extra 1/2" PVC connector (male threaded end and a smooth slip-on female end) to accommodate this?

Feedback on this pump choice? Is this overkill? Better price elsewhere?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000X07GMW/re ... =UTF8&th=1

Go with the simple "pond" pump?

https://www.amazon.com/KEDSUM-Submersib ... ZXXGH&th=1

[daryl]

Either pump should work fine, with the appropriate adapter to attach to the PVC.

The utility pump will move more water and, therefore, should clean faster. It is also more durable and I would expect it to last longer.

If you are going to go with that spray head, I would go with the utility pump.

I use a pond pump with an open 1/2" PVC. Without the spray attachment, the flow goes up and hits the concave surface of the keg and spreads down the sides. Carboys are concave enough that I have not had cleaning issues that couldn't be overcome with a pre-rinse (to soften up crud that make have accumulated during the krausen).

The sprinkler head will cause quite a bit more back pressure on the pump....therefore IMHO I would lean even more towards the utility pump for durability/longevity.

[tony b]

Thanks, D!

Amazon order placed for the spray nozzle (many recommendations from folks with Mark's keg washers) and the utility pump. Should be here by the end of the week.

[andrewmaixner]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073GHFP6J?th=1
For others to note: this will not fit through the hole in glass carboys. It will work fine on kegs and Better Bottles. The ball is 40 mm in diameter.

I also discovered that. For glass, I take it off and a the thin screw-on pipe cap with a large hole in the top of it (came with "mark II" keg washer). It cascades the cleaning solution down all sides of the carboy just fine with a little angle tweaking

[czubak]

Tony, I am just going with the pond pump you linked only the 660 GPH model. This will also serve double duty for line cleaning 6 lines (I didn't want anything too powerful). Hope it works.

Thanks for the spray ball link, it's on my list for my next order.

[wyzzyrdd]

I bought two of these 14 years ago:

http://www.northernbrewer.com/carboy-brush

I have one bent to clean the neck of a carboy, and the other bent to clean the bottom.

Five bucks a piece. Just sayin.

[czubak]

I bought two of these 14 years ago:

http://www.northernbrewer.com/carboy-brush

I have one bent to clean the neck of a carboy, and the other bent to clean the bottom.

Five bucks a piece. Just sayin.

Those are not the most helpful for cleaning the inner workings of a keg or tap lines

[tony b]

I, too, have one of those and it's a PITA to clean the krausen ring off a carboy with it. Just sayin'

[czubak]

Made mine tonight. I have $12 in PVC and plenty left to build another sans Ts and elbows.

I cemented some fittings. Added a threaded nipple on the upright to cap off when I’m using his for line cleaning.

Waiting on my pump and spray ball to arrive to cut the 1/2” to the upright to my desired length

Took all of 10 minutes to build. I cut the pvc with my miter saw.






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[daryl]

Nice addition of the threaded fitting with the cap.

[czubak]

Nice addition of the threaded fitting with the cap.

Yeah I am planning to clean my keezer lines out of the 3/8" barb fitting, so a cap was a simple solution. Now once I get my pump I will likely have to redo some of this to make it fit in a bucket

[daryl]

But it looks like tweaking of that T will not be necessary. The hookup the pump requires a little thought. The upper tubes...go long and if they are too tall, you can always trim them down.

But that threaded top is just the ticket to be able to use this setup for kegs, carboys, and pushing cleaner through beer lines.

Thanks for posting it.