Righto, let’s talk about something that doesn’t get much love until things start tasting off — your kegerator taps.
If you’ve ever poured a beer at home and thought, “Hang on, this tastes a bit funky,” chances are your taps need a good clean. And not just a quick rinse — I mean a proper dismantle-the-lot kind of clean. You’d be amazed at the gunk that builds up in there. Don’t worry, it’s easier than you think — and dead satisfying too.
Why bother cleaning your taps?
Simple: Beer’s a food product. And like anything else with sugar and yeast, it leaves behind residue. That sticky mess becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and wild yeast. And once that builds up, your beer starts to taste like you poured it out of a muddy gumboot.
Plus, dirty lines and taps can clog, corrode, or wear out your seals faster. Not ideal if you enjoy trouble-free pours and fresh tasting pints.
How often should you clean them?
If you're a weekend warrior pulling a few beers with the mates, every couple of weeks is fine. If you're smashing kegs more regularly or rotating brews with different styles (like hoppy IPAs or creamy stouts), you’ll want to clean more often. Trust your tastebuds — if something’s off, it’s time to clean.
Let’s break it down — literally.
Here’s the process I follow using gear from The Brew Shed. You don’t need a science degree — just a few minutes and the right stuff.
Step-by-Step: Cleaning Your Kegerator Taps
1. Turn off the gas and disconnect the keg.
You don’t want any pressure pushing beer through while you're mid-scrub.
2. Unscrew the tap from the font.
Most standard taps come off with a spanner or by hand. Once off, you’ll want to fully dismantle it — I’m talking handle, shaft, bonnet, seals, springs — the lot.
3. Soak the parts in brewery-grade cleaner.
Grab something like Brewers Detergent and chuck the parts in warm water following directions. Let them soak for 15–20 minutes.
4. Scrub the inside.
Use a small nylon brush to clean the tap bore and any nooks where build-up can hide. Don’t forget the seals and the back of the tap where beer loves to hide.
5. Rinse and sanitise.
Rinse with clean water, then soak in a no-rinse sanitiser like Mangrove Jacks Sanitiser to kill off anything lurking. Drain and air-dry the lot on a clean towel.
6. Reassemble and enjoy.
Once dry, put everything back together and reattach the tap to the font. Easy as.
The Proof’s in the Gunk
Trust me, the first time you clean your taps properly, you’ll be horrified — and then proud. That slimy buildup you remove? That was going straight into your beer. You’ll taste the difference instantly — crisper, cleaner pours with zero funk.
What You'll Need (All Available at The Brew Shed):
- Brewers Detergent
- Brewers Sanitiser
- Tap brush or nylon line brush
- Spare seals or O-rings if yours are shot
- Bucket or small tub
✅ Check out The Brew Shed’s cleaning range here
If you’ve gone to the trouble of setting up a kegerator, filling it with a ripper brew, and inviting the mates over, don’t let dodgy tap hygiene ruin the moment. Clean taps = better beer, longer-lasting gear, and way less chance of nasty surprises.
Give it a crack. Your tastebuds will thank you — and so will your mates.