How To Protect And Prolong The Life of Your Brewing System

Beer brewing equipment represents a major investment for any brewery—whether it is a microbrewery, craft brewery, or large-scale production facility. Ensuring that your equipment remains in excellent working condition is essential not only for producing high-quality beer, but also for controlling long-term operational costs and avoiding unnecessary downtime.

1. Why Proper Maintenance is Essential

High-grade stainless steel brewing systems—such as brewhouses, fermenters, bright tanks, pumps, and piping—are designed for durability. However, brewing conditions expose equipment to:

• Heat and cooling cycles

• Acidic and alkaline chemicals

• High-pressure cleaning

• Continuous moisture

• Organic residues (yeast, wort, hops)

Without proper care, these factors can lead to premature wear, corrosion, leaks, contamination, and inconsistent beer quality.

A well-maintained DEGONG brewing system can operate smoothly for 10–20 years or more, making maintenance one of the best long-term investments any brewery can make.

2. Initial Commissioning: The First Step Toward Long Service Life

Many breweries underestimate how important the initial setup is. Before your equipment enters production, DEGONG recommends completing the following steps:

2.1 Perform a deep clean

New equipment may contain:

• Protective oils

• Welding residues

• Dust or packaging materials

• Construction debris

A full cleaning cycle removes these contaminants and prepares the tank for passivation.

2.2 Passivate stainless steel surfaces

Passivation forms a protective chromium-oxide layer that improves corrosion resistance. Proper passivation:

• Removes free iron

• Protects weld seams

• Helps prevent rust and pitting

• Ensures a clean, inert surface for brewing

DEGONG fermenters and tanks are pre-treated, but on-site passivation is still recommended in many cases.

2.3 Validate pressure and sealing performance

Pressurized vessels (fermenters, bright tanks) should undergo:

• Hydrostatic testing

• Leakage inspection

• Seal and gasket checks

• Jacket pressure verification

Catching issues early helps ensure long-term durability.

2.4 Sanitize before first use

Even if the equipment is brand new, sanitation removes airborne contaminants and prepares the tank for safe brewing.

3. Cleaning & Sanitation: The Foundation of Equipment Longevity

Proper cleaning is the single most important factor in extending equipment life. Every DEGONG brewery system is designed for efficient CIP (Clean-In-Place), but it must be used correctly.

3.1 Use a structured CIP process

After each batch, perform:

• Warm water rinse — removes proteins and sugars

• Alkaline cleaning — dissolves organic residues

• Acid wash — removes beerstone and mineral scale

• Final rinse — removes chemical traces

• Sanitization — ensures a microbe-free environment

Regular CIP prevents:

• Beerstone buildup

• Microbial contamination

• Corrosion under residue

• Blockage in valves or spray balls

3.2 Choose the right detergents & sanitizers

DEGONG recommends:

• Alkaline caustic for organic matter

• Nitric/Phosphoric acid blends for beerstone

• Non-chlorine sanitizers for safety

• Avoid bleach or chloride cleaners, which damage stainless steel

Maintaining the correct chemical concentration, temperature, and circulation time is critical.

3.3 Clean small components thoroughly

Some of the most common contamination points are:

• Gaskets

• Butterfly valves

• Sample valves

• Spray balls

• Thermowells

• Manway sealing rings

• Hoses

These parts wear faster than the tank itself and must be disassembled and replaced regularly.

4. Preventive Maintenance: What to Inspect Regularly

Preventive maintenance (PM) helps you identify problems early and avoid expensive repairs later.

4.1 Tank and structural inspection

Regularly check for:

• Weld cracks

• Corrosion spots

• Dents or deformation

• Jacket leaks

• Insulation damage

• Loose clamps and fittings

Keeping a monthly inspection log helps maintain consistency.

4.2 Valve and gasket replacement schedule

Gaskets are inexpensive but critical for:

• Air-tight sealing

• Pressure stability

• Preventing contamination

Replace them:

• Every 3–6 months for heavy use

• Immediately if cracked or swollen

DEGONG supplies spare gasket kits designed for commercial use.

4.3 Instrument calibration

For accurate brewing control, routinely calibrate:

• Temperature sensors

• Pressure gauges

• Flow meters

• pH meters

Incorrect readings may cause fermentation issues or unsafe pressure conditions.

4.4 Pumps, motors, and moving components

Mechanical components require:

• Lubrication at scheduled intervals

• Impeller inspection

• Seal replacement

• Electrical safety checks

Regular upkeep prevents overheating and premature motor failure.

5. Protecting Stainless Steel: Material Care Matters

DEGONG uses high-quality SS304 or SS316L stainless steel, but even high-grade steel needs proper care.

5.1 Avoid mechanical damage

Stainless steel is tough but not scratch-proof. Scratches become sites for:

• Bacteria accumulation

• Corrosion

• Beerstone buildup

Use only soft cleaning tools and avoid metal brushes.

5.2 Prevent chloride corrosion

Chlorides are the enemy of stainless steel. Avoid:

• Bleach

• Chlorine-based cleaners

• Salty environments

• Standing chlorinated water

If chloride exposure occurs, rinse immediately.

5.3 Maintain surface finish

A smooth surface (Ra ≤ 0.4 μm) resists contamination. If scratches appear, re-polishing may be necessary to restore sanitary performance.

6. Operational Habits That Extend Equipment Life

Even the best equipment will suffer if operators develop poor habits. DEGONG recommends the following best practices:

6.1 Do not rush CIP cycles

Shortcuts in cleaning lead to long-term damage.

6.2 Train staff consistently

Clear SOPs reduce operator errors that damage tanks.

6.3 Keep tanks dry when not in use

Standing water encourages microbial growth and corrosion.

6.4 Never exceed designed pressure limits

All DEGONG tanks have rated maximum working pressure—respect it.

6.5 Use food-grade lubricants

This is critical for pumps, valves, and mechanical seals.

7. Long-Term Storage and Idle Period Care

If equipment will not be used for extended periods:

• Completely dry the tank

• Leave manways slightly open for airflow

• Apply protective coatings to sensitive parts

• Store hoses and gaskets in cool, dry locations

• Perform a full CIP and sanitization before restarting production

These simple habits prevent corrosion and mold growth.

8. Benefits of Proper Maintenance

By following the above procedures, you can expect:

• Extended service life of tanks, valves, pumps, and piping

• Lower operating costs due to fewer repairs

• More stable beer quality

• Higher production reliability

• Reduced contamination risk

• Greater equipment resale value

A well-maintained brewing system can remain efficient for many years, ensuring a strong return on your initial investment.