removing budget barrel taps for thorough cleaning- how often

[barl_fire]

I've currently got two types of pressure barrel, a top tap King Keg and a Youngs bottom tap budget barrel. Now with the King Keg stripping the tap down so I can clean and sterilize is pretty straight forward as all the bits and bobs come apart easily and go back together very easily and I intend to do this before every refill with new beer. However on my budget keg taking the tap off is an absolute pain in the backside, in fact today when I cleaned then sanitized the barrel for the second ever brew that's been in it I didn't bother stripping the thing down just made sure the parts of the tap that come into contact with ale were soaked and rinsed thoroughly through with lots of sanitising solution for a while. However I'm figuring after repeated usage there'll come a point when the tap needs taking off the barrel for a thorough clean. I'd like to know how often you guys in here tend to do this with bottom tap budget pressure barrels? In my case my pressure barrel won't be sat idle between brews for too long as I intend to fill it with new beer pretty much as soon as a previous brew is completely supped, cheers.

[garwatts]

I've got one of the Wilkos and they are a piece of cake. They just screw straight into the body (no back nut). Had it out for cleaning on numerous occasions.

[barl_fire]

cheers garwatts that's the type I've got
I think the problem with mine has been to get the thing to be sealed without leaks I've had to really tighten it up a heck of a lot which probably goes against what most people say about preventing leaks. For some reason I've only been able to get a seal if it's really tight and I'm a little worried that if I unseat it from it's current position I'll never get the thing to seal again. I guess in the long run sanitization is gonna be more important and the things is gonna need to come off at some point for a damn good clean.

Anyway very roughly how many brews do you reckon you put in it before you say its time to remove and clean it properly?

[garwatts]

I wash it out immediately after use with water. Then spray with no rinse steriliser and sanitiser. Dry out thoroughly and repeat this process prior to using ot again. The tap come off around every 4/5 brews. Use some PTFE tape if you have any problems sealing it. Also avoid over pressurising it. Don't overdo the Vaseline either and make sure it doesn't get under the cap seal.

[barl_fire]

I wash it out immediately after use with water. Then spray with no rinse steriliser and sanitiser. Dry out thoroughly and repeat this process prior to using ot again. The tap come off around every 4/5 brews. Use some PTFE tape if you have any problems sealing it. Also avoid over pressurising it. Don't overdo the Vaseline either and make sure it doesn't get under the cap seal.

sound advice cheers!

great, I'm relieved you didn't say everytime you use it, as I've a feeling this tap of mine will be a major pain in the backside when I do get round to taking it off. I'm even tempted next time to check it seals with tap water and CO2 as a dummy run before putting any beer in after I do get round to removing it. When I kegged some ale the other day I was torn between stripping it or leaving it, not wanting to cock up my 21l brew of Fixby Gold messing round too much with my tap like

[garwatts]

Oops edit

[ricardo]

Why not change the tap for one with a back nut on ???

[garwatts]

Why not change the tap for one with a back nut on ???

Well I for one can't even get my hand through the 2" top