Ask The Brewmasters

We are finally able to switch to steam in our brewhouse and for keg cleaning.  A couple years back I remember reading something about the minimum steam pressure recommended for sterilizing kegs.  I believe it was stated that at a certain pressure you get not only sterilization but also all oxygen is purged from the keg.  However, I cannot find this anywhere.  Does anyone have any information on what pressure we should be using?  Want to make sure any machine I purchase meets this.

Hi Patrick,

In order to sterilize a keg with high pressure steam you need to reach a temperature of about 275 deg F and hold it in the keg for 60 seconds.  To reach that 275 deg threshold you will need steam at about 31 PSI.

Hi Patrick,

The Rotech keg monitoring system is an excellent way to know if your keg is getting the proper amount of steam saturation, and temperature.  For more info, please visit the following link: https://rotechkeg.com/

Hope this helps.

Dana

Hi Patrick,

The Minimum steam pressure recommended by Comac for sterilizing kegs is 2- 2.5 bar (30 to 37.5 PSI).

While for condensate discharge and keg pressurization, Comac recommends a CO2 pressure of 3 bar (45 PSI).

Cheers

Eric