Citric acid and keg lines/taps

[Texas Ale Works]

Would it be ok to use a citric acid solution on my keg lines and taps

T

 

[BOB357]

Clean with BLC or PBW for regular maintenance. Oxyclean works too. Once every 3 months or so follow that cleaning with a good rinse and then do an acid flush, also followed by a good rinse. .

 

[thunderwagn]

My cleaning is similar to Bob's. I flush with PBW and Star San. Once a year I run 5 Star Beer Stone Remover through all my kegs and lines. It's amazing how clean it gets your stainless.
No clue on using citric acid.

 

[HighVoltageMan!]

Citric acid will passivate stainless steel, which is good, but you will need a surfactant to remove organic material. Citric acid will help remove some calcium build up, but beer stone requires a stronger acid, surfactant and an agent to hydrolyze the proteins. Some people use nitric acid, but I found milk stone remover at my local farm supply that's a lot cheaper. Beer stone is a mix of calcium and proteins and unless the acid can break up the proteins (hydrolyze), the stone will remain behind and be a perfect place for bacteria to hide.

Regular cleaning of lines can be done, as others have already said, with PBW. I usually clean up beer stone once or twice a year.

 

[Tommy Leaton]

Citric acid is found naturally in citrus fruits, especially lemons and limes. It’s what gives them their tart, sour taste. Clean with BLC or PBW for regular maintenance.