An INNOVATIVE and EASY Way to Clean Your DRAFT LINES: The "BAR-KING" BEER LINE CLEANING KIT Review

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Hey everyone, a couple things to be aware of - 1) since publishing this video, 5 Star North has incorporated several changes and improvements to their products based on feedback, so it no longer comes with a double barb, but rather an improved gasket and seal. 2) If you choose to purchase this product and use the amazon link be sure to pick the version for Homebrew kegs, that will come with a corny keg adapter.

[@davec4955]

I use a cheap 5l pump up garden sprayer with a ball lock fitted to it. I have two of them and use one for cleaning and flushing, and the other one for starsan. I live in the UK and they retail for about £7.50 each.

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

That's a great idea and very cost effective. Cheers!

[@FermentationAdventures]

I was going to say the same.. Those are pretty cheap from home depot, etc. stateside. various retailers will sell kits based around them as well. certainly they have a better pump.

[@skizziz]

Just bought it using your link. Thanks for the review Steve.

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

I hope you enjoy using it! Hopefully you picked the homebrew version of it!

[@HOMEBREW4LIFE]

looks like a solid contraption, cheers!

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Cheers CH!

[@codebowl]

I'm going to have to pickup one of these.

[@danielpatrick2501]

Bought this and love it (ok it’s the first time I’ve ever cleaned my lines besides star sans, don’t judge me)

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Awesome! I'm glad you're getting good use out of it, it's a good product

[@gregmorris2022]

The Amazon link you provided still shows pictures of the old grommet style lid. Do you have any idea if they will ship the new barbed style? Thanks for this vid, I’m totally getting one of these.

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Reached out to the company to get some clarity on this. I'll update you when they get back to me

[@gregmorris2022]

@@TheApartmentBrewer Thanks. Much appreciated.

[@michellescammon9720]

@@gregmorris2022 We have changed the design slightly. the Barbed model is only on the Home brew/corny keg kit. It won't be on the models going forward. We did that to ensure we created a quick fix for a problem that we discovered during testing. The standard keg kit doesn't have a barb.

[@gregmorris2022]

@@michellescammon9720 Excellent, thank you! Top notch customer service!

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Looks like they beat me to it! Here's a link I got from them, the corny keg version is the only one that has it I think: www.amazon.com/Bar-King-Quick-Connect-Cleaning-cleaning-No-Rinse/dp/B094TKVVVX?maas=maas_adg_98984941C97DFC130C1E807777C248BC_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&th=1

[@curtzeek8818]

After working with beer systems since 1988 and still working on them, I would suggest to anyone to do a little searching and buy the cleaning system that has the metal pump on top. These little plastic ones do not provide enough pressure to clean properly. Faucets MUST be taken apart and all parts and body brush cleaned to ensure cleanliness. Running cleaner through the faucet like this system does not mean the faucet is clean. Most buildup is in the faucet because it is exposed to the warm air in your house. The system I mentioned hooks up where your faucet is. You take faucet off and attach cleaner to coupling nut on tower shank. You place tap or qwik connect into empty bucket and pump cleaner downwards through system. There is no uphill battle fighting the pump. This kit comes with spanner wrench(for taking off faucet), a 4oz bottle of BLC, a very good beer line cleaner that will dissolve beer stone and a faucet brush. It's got a 4-6" pump on it and it's all metal. Cheers!

[@denstjames]

I have a very similar product but mine goes the other way. I hook it up to the tap and push the liquid down into the spent keg. I find this way easier since I like to disconnect my taps and clean them when I clean the lines anyway.

[@denstjames]

oh also mine just requires one pump and it then suctions the remainder of the liquid through the lines.

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Interesting technique and it makes sense!

[@kurtwolter3984]

Interesting product. Off topic, but where did you order the drip tray from? Did you use magnets?

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Yup, its just a standard drip tray I found on Amazon that I stuck to the keezer with strong magnets. Here's some links if you're interested: Drip Tray: amzn.to/3uxjIGP Neodymium magnets: amzn.to/3aTFMUf

[@Bassguitarist1985]

4 taps, ha i got 16 taps in my keezer! Though to be fair I've only been able to fill about 12 at once. I have a similar line cleaner, instead I built a 12 volt pump that pumps cleaning solution through 6 lines at a time with the use of ball lock union connects and faucet tap union hoses. Saves a ton of time!

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

That's a great idea, the more automated something can be, the better!

[@RayP4423]

+1 on anyone who uses a $10 garden sprayer from home depot.. 1/3rd the cost, especially if you push the sprayer hose up to the tap then at the disconnect side un-screw the liquid out disconnect and it all flows free. clean the tap and the line.

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

I love the ingenuity with that idea. You're not the only one who has commented with a similar concept!

[@curtpick628]

Saw this on brew dudes channel. Interesting product.

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Yup, it's a great little system!

[@duanewhittle2992]

Nice review. CO2 is a lot cheaper if you go to your local welding supply store like National Welders. Where did you get that magnetic drip tray?

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

It's actually just a standard drip tray I found on amazon that I used some very strong magnets to attach to the keezer. Here's some links if you're interested: Drip Tray: amzn.to/3uxjIGP Neodymium magnets: amzn.to/3aTFMUf

[@apack76]

I clicked on the amazon link and it looks like they don't sell it anymore. Do you have any updates on this product?

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

As far as I know they are continuing to manufacture and sell these on Amazon, I imagine they may be out of stock temporarily.

[@haydnmaxwell649]

Great idea. Can you get it in the uk?

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

I'm not sure, does the link work for you?

[@davidsilva-eo2bs]

the link brings you to amazon and the item is not available

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Weird. Got a new link to try and fix it, try this one: amzn.to/3slYyL3

[@HopsANDgnarly]

Dude! Thats pretty sweet!

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Thanks man! Its pretty great for the price!

[@tobibatiste7859]

Do you have to sanitise your lines?

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

It's not mandatory but helps prevent growth

[@chrisinestes]

I like it, but I think it needs some work, before I'd buy one. Thanks for the video

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching!

[@DavidAbraham504]

I guess your light source is direct light. Perhaps you would like to change that for a soft box. Just a sugestión to improve your videos. 😃

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Really appreciate the feedback, you're right! I will look into the softbox idea

[@Nick.Keane77]

just so we are all on the same page here.....you rapidly pump in the beginning, then slow down your pumps towards the end? :DD

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Lol...I set myself up for that

[@Greta-Thunberg-How-Dare-You]

😠

[@afhostie]

Tldr: Do NOT buy. Long version: Ok, I've had this since you posted the video and have used it a couple times across 4 taps. Every time I've used it, it's made a HUGE mess and I end up just going back to using an empty keg anyway. Couple notes about my setup, I'm using an upright freezer that I've converted into a keezer. The taps are inside the fridge along with everything. Maybe that makes a difference, maybe not. Here's the two big issues I've found. The coupler they give you doesn't have a spring tappet on it. That means you MUST keep it above the tap handles at ALL times or it will pour cleaner. This also means that if there's any pressure still in the line when you disconnect it that it will spray some cleaner when disconnected. Last two issues which are rather minor. It's top heavy so it's tipped over in me a couple times when it gets low. It also doesn't build a lot of pressure so you're mostly relying on gravity and just pumping to get it started. This wouldn't be a big deal in itself but it's what leads to one of the big issues since there's also no shutoff. So how's that compare to a keg? The key you just hookup to your gas so there's no pumping or gravity to worry about. There's spring tappets on the keg so once the line is full of cleaner you just unhook and no mess. Since you're not pumping you have an extra hand to move the bucket or hose (i put a hose on the tap nozzle). The only downside is the keg cost. However, it's $34 for the kit in the video right now. So rather than buying 2 or more tools that might work, this is one time where you just buy a 1gal keg and know that it will do exactly what you want. Having said all that, the cleaner seems to work so I'll likely keep using it, albeit from a real keg.

[@wideglidebry]

The pump clearly failed to perform adequately in the video. The pump is THE major component of this product, and after it failed you still gave it a thumbs up recommendation. Disappointing.