Kegerator Rookie Mistake?

[Red Raven Brewery]

Hey all,

So I got one tap setup on my kegerator (more to come in the future) the other week and so far so good.
Last night however it occurred to me that I probably made a very silly mistake...I have left the line connected to the key continuously.

I poured a glass last night and a little bit of something came out, I can only assume a bit of mold perhaps. I got rid of that, pour a little more and tried it and the beer itself seemed to be OK. I've disconnected the line for now just to be on the safe side.

I know this might sound basic and stupid but am I to assume I need to disconnect the line when not in use and then clean the line and tap out with a bit of sanitiser before the next use? I'm hoping nothing has made its way back into the keg as it is still mostly full and would be a shame to lose so much beer for such a silly mistake but I suppose on that front only time will tell.

Cheers

 

[gyurmaember]

Well, if you drink one pint in every month that would be the right method.

 

[Red Raven Brewery]

Well, if you drink one pint in every month that would be the right method.

Nah I've been drinking a little more than that since setting it all up.
Just don't want to waste anything that's all. I'm sure it'll be fine

 

[Eskimo John]

The error is not to leave it connected, but not to clean I thoroughly after use and again before you use it the next time (next keg).
Remove the tap and dismantle it to clean it as thoroughly as you can.
I generally run some line cleaner through the tap first for a new keg followed by water and then the new beer.
I have a 1/2 size keg I use just for cleaning under co2 pressure.

 

[Red Raven Brewery]

The error is not to leave it connected, but not to clean I thoroughly after use and again before you use it the next time (next keg).
Remove the tap and dismantle it to clean it as thoroughly as you can.
I generally run some line cleaner through the tap first for a new keg followed by water and then the new beer.
I have a 1/2 size keg I use just for cleaning under co2 pressure.

Perhaps I wasn't so clear but I definitely cleaned both the pine, tap, disconnect and fittings before I put the new keg on.

My concern was that because the end of the tap is open that perhaps some bacteria had worked it's way in and would eventually work its way down the line and into the keg.

 

[gyurmaember]

My concern was that because the end of the tap is open that perhaps some bacteria had worked it's way in and would eventually work its way down the line and into the keg.

This is why I wrote, what I wrote. If you drink it regularly, bacteria can't make it's way to the keg....

 

[Red Raven Brewery]

This is why I wrote, what I wrote. If you drink it regularly, bacteria can't make it's way to the keg....

Sorry mate, must have misread/misunderstood your message