Bar Maintenance
Changing a gas cylinder is a simple and straightforward exercise, the following steps will show you how to do this safely and correctly:
Step 1. Even though the gas pressure gauge registers empty, you should close the tap on the bottle. Turn the knob tightly on the top of the bottle towards the ‘close’ position.
Step 2. Using your spanner unscrew nut on the pipe connected to the bottle until it is removed.
Step 3. Place the empty bottle safely and securely, ready for pick up by your supplier.
Step 4. Carefully position your new gas bottle and secure it in place.
Step 5. Pull out the plastic stopper from the connection on the bottle and insert the connection from the pipe. You must make sure this is level as it is vital to have a secure connection to prevent leaks.
Step 6. Using your trusty spanner, tighten the nut on the pipe until it is secure.
Step 7. Unscrew the knob on the top of the gas bottle towards the ‘open’ direction. You will hear a hissing sound, don’t panic this is just the gas flowing into the pipe. You will also notice the pressure gauge rise to indicate full.
Step 8. Go to the bar and dispense your drinks.
NEVER POSITION YOUR HEAD DIRECTLY OVER THE COUPLER TO A KEG WHEN REMOVING IT, THE CONTENTS ARE PRESSURISED AND THE POTENTIAL DANGER IS VERY HIGH!
Changing a beer keg is done by following the these set of steps:
Step 1. Turn off the gas supply to the beer keg.
Step 2. Disconnect the coupler from the empty beer keg.
Step 3. Remove the plastic seal on the new beer keg, and connect the coupler to the join. There are a couple of different couplers, some you push down and turn, and others you have to push a handle and twist. Whichever one you are dealing with always ensure the coupler is tightly in place.
Step 4. Turn the gas back on.
Step 5. Inspect the pressure cylinder on you wall for the keg; you’ll either have a push button or a lever, which releases the plastic ball to allow the flow of liquid. Make sure this is open and the draught product can flow into the line.
Step 6. If you need to draw the draught product into the cylinder until it is full, this ensures the flow of the product through the lines.
Step 7. Go to the bar and pull the draught product through. If everything is working and connected properly then it will be ready to serve.
Step 1. Make sure the cleaning vessel is free from dirt and other contaminants, then fill the cleaning vessel with clean cold water.
Step 2. Turn off all of the gas taps to the kegs.
Step 3. Disconnect all Keg Couplers and give them a spray with a cellar hygiene spray. Use a brush to get remove any built up dirt deposits.
Step 4. Spray each Cleaning Ring Main socket and attach each coupler to the cleaning ring main.
Step 5. Turn on the gas or compressed air supply to the cleaning pump.
Step 6. Bleed each FOB detector until all of the beer has been replaced with water.
Step 7. Pop to the bar and open each tap in turn until all of the beer in the lines has been replaced with water, before closing again.
Step 8. Head back down to the cellar and add the correct amount of beer line cleaner to the cleaning vessel (The manufacturer will have the correct dosage on the back of the bottle).
Step 9. Fill the cleaning vessel back up to the full mark with cold water.
Step 10. Bleed each FOB Detector until the water is replaced with beer line cleaning solution.
In the bar open each tap until all of the water in the lines is replaced with beer line cleaning solution, before closing again.
Step 11. Leave the beer line cleaner to soak in the beer line system for the amount of time recommended by the manufacturer – Have a cup of tea or bacon sandwich to pass the time! (wash hands before handling food).
Step 12. Open each beer line tap again to remove the used beer line cleaner, and allow each one to fill with fresh solution.
Step 13. Check the FOB detectors in the cellar are still full to the top and bleed any which have dropped or have any air bubbles inside.
Step 14. Leave the lines to soak again for the recommended time. – Have another cup of tea!
Step 15. Open the taps and remove the used beer line cleaner, replacing with fresh, once more, check the FOB detectors are still full and leave for one final soak – More Tea!
Rinse out the cleaning vessel thoroughly with clean cold water and fill it to the full mark with water.
Bleed each FOB Detector until the beer line cleaner has been flushed out and replaced with water.
Step 16. Pop back to the bar and open each tap in turn, replace all of the beer line cleaner in the lines with water, and then pull through at least 2-3 pints extra to ensure all of the beer line cleaner has been removed.
Step 17. Head back down to the cellar, empty out any water from the cleaning vessel.
Turn off the gas or compressed air supply to the cleaning pump.
Step 18. Disconnect the keg couplers from the cleaning ring main and reconnect each one to the correct keg, give each cleaning ring main socket a spray with a cellar hygiene spray.
Step 19. Turn on the gas supply to each keg.
Step 20. Bleed each FOB Detector until the water is replaced with beer.
Head back to the bar and open each tap in turn, replacing the water with beer.
Step 21. Check the beer for clarity, colour and taste.
Did we miss anything? Email us at info@sparkepos.com with your sugguestions to be added to our tutorials.
