First cleaning of NEW kegs

[Sir Brewsalot]

After 5 years at this, I again find myself in new territory. We bought a bunch of NEW cooperage due to a stunning lack of sixtels on the used market, and now I'm wondering if there's a special "first cleaning" regimen that's recommended for new cooperage?

Acid cycle? Passivation? Something to get the residuals of fabrication (oils, welding debris, whatever) out of them?

Any suggestions of experiences would be most helpful.
Cheers,
Scott

[James Murray]

I don't know what kind of keg-washer you are working with, but we hook new kegs up to the washer...purge, water rinse, purge,acid cycle, purge, passivation for 24 hours. We then run a rull caustic, acid, sanitizer cycle on them. This has worked for us for many years.

James Murray
Lead Brewer
Ballast Point Brewing & Spirits
San Diego, CA

[Sir Brewsalot]

Thanks James! Good to get other input on this. We just ran the acid cycle, skipped the caustic since the soil load is so minimal.

This was also a good choice, as it is what the manufacturer of the kegs recommended.

Cheers,
Scott