CIP cleaning system has become a benchmark method in professional breweries. Originating from industrial standards, this system allows tanks to be cleaned without dismantling. It ensures strict hygiene, consistent efficiency, and enhanced safety.
Yet many craft or semi-professional brewers still hesitate to adopt it, often due to a lack of information or fear of a complex setup. In reality, CIP is more accessible than it seems. Integrating it can transform how cleaning is managed in a brewery.
In this article, we’ll explain what CIP cleaning is, explore its practical benefits, outline the required equipment, and walk through the steps to implement it. Whether you’re scaling up or seeking greater precision, this guide will help you structure your approach and boost your efficiency.
What Is CIP Cleaning?
CIP cleaning, or “Clean-In-Place,” is an automated method that allows tanks to be washed without dismantling. It relies on the circulation of a cleaning solution sprayed inside the fermenter through a rotating spray ball.
This process is widely used in the food and pharmaceutical industries. In brewing, it’s perfectly suited for conical fermenters, conditioning tanks, and unitanks. It ensures thorough cleaning, even in hard-to-reach areas.
Unlike manual methods, CIP cleaning requires no brushing, disassembly, or direct intervention inside the tank. It operates in a closed loop, using a temperature-controlled liquid often enriched with alkaline or enzymatic agents.
Why Implement a CIP System in Your Brewery ?
Adopting a CIP system marks a major step forward in managing hygiene and productivity. This clean-in-place method allows tanks to be washed without dismantling, offering consistency and efficiency that manual methods struggle to match.
The main advantage is time savings. A typical CIP cycle lasts around 15 to 20 minutes. It fits seamlessly into the production schedule without disrupting other steps. No need to disassemble accessories, scrub manually, or deal with imprecise rinsing.
It’s also a safety asset. The system minimizes direct handling inside tanks, reduces the risk of burns or slips, and protects staff during hot cleaning phases.
Finally, CIP enhances traceability and cleaning consistency. It’s a valuable tool for breweries aiming to professionalize their operations, pursue quality certifications, or simply ensure impeccable hygiene with every batch.
Who Is CIP Cleaning Designed For?
CIP systems are intended for breweries seeking greater precision, efficiency, and ease of operation. They’re suitable for both small-scale craft setups and growing production facilities.
For professional brewers, CIP helps secure cleaning operations while improving equipment turnover. It quickly becomes essential as batch volumes increase or hygiene standards become more demanding.
Collaborative breweries, expanding microbreweries, and semi-industrial sites can also benefit significantly. The system adapts to various fermenter types with simple, modular configurations.
Even for solo brewers, CIP saves time, reduces manual handling, and ensures a level of cleaning consistency that’s hard to achieve by hand.
What Equipment Is Needed for a CIP Cleaning System ?
The core principle of CIP cleaning remains the same: circulating a cleaning solution inside the tank through a spray ball in a closed-loop system. However, the equipment can vary depending on the type of fermenter, available fittings, and the desired level of automation.
At Rolling Beers, we favor Tri Clamp setups for their reliability, ease of cleaning, and compatibility with a wide range of brewing equipment. That’s the approach we’ll detail here, while keeping in mind that other standards (DIN, SMS, BSP…) may apply depending on your installation.
Key Components of a Tri Clamp CIP System
CIP Spray Ball with 2 Tri Clamp Ports One port attaches to the fermenter, the other connects to the supply hose. It distributes the cleaning solution in a rotating spray, covering all internal surfaces.
Magnetic Pump Ensures fluid circulation throughout the system. A 65 W pump is sufficient for most craft fermenters.
EPDM Tri Clamp Hoses Heat- and chemical-resistant. Two lengths are typically useful: one short (1 m) and one long (5 m), depending on your setup.
TC Fittings and Reducers Used to connect the pump, spray ball, and fermenter. TC 1.5″ and TC 2″ are the most common sizes.
Tri Clamp Clamps and Gaskets Essential for maintaining a leak-proof seal across all connections.
Cleaning Agent We recommend Stellar Clean PBW — a non-caustic alkaline cleaner effective in both hot and cold conditions, perfectly suited for CIP circuits.
Some kits combine these components to simplify installation. Your choice will depend on the type of tank, the desired pressure level, and compatibility with your existing setup.
How to Install and Use a CIP System
Installing a CIP system depends on the type of fermenter and the available fittings, but the process remains straightforward and repeatable. Here’s a method tailored to Tri Clamp setups, like the ones we recommend at Rolling Beers.
To keep your fermenter safe, we recommend leaving one of its top ports slightly open throughout the entire cleaning cycle. At CIP cleaning temperatures, it’s important to allow vapors from the cleaning agent to escape and prevent any risk of overpressure.
1. Drain the fermenter from the bottom (to remove yeast sediment).
2. Rinse with cold water, then drain again.
3. Prepare the cleaning solution: fill 3 to 5% of your fermenter’s volume with a cleaning mix (water at 50 °C + PBW diluted at 1g/L). For example, for a 100 L fermenter, this means using 3 to 5 liters of solution.
4. Set up the circuit :
- Connect the lowest outlet of the fermenter to the pump inlet using an EPDM hose (with matching TC fittings and gaskets).
- Attach the pump outlet to the upper TC 1.5″ port of the CIP spray ball using the second hose.
- Secure the lower TC port of the CIP spray ball to the appropriate inlet on your fermenter (typically 4″ or 1.5″).
5. Run the pump for a 15 to 20-minute cycle.
6. Drain and rinse the fermenter with clean water.
7. For optimal cleaning, you can disassemble fittings, clamps, and gaskets and soak them in PBW after the CIP cycle is complete.
Frequently Asked Questions About CIP Cleaning
Is CIP Cleaning Suitable for Small Volumes ?
Yes. Even for fermenters as small as 30 L, a CIP system improves cleaning efficiency and consistency. You just need to adjust the pump power and solution volume accordingly.
Should I Disassemble the CIP Spray Ball After Each Cycle ?
Yes. The spray ball must be disassembled, rinsed, and cleaned after each use to prevent buildup and ensure perfect hygiene.
What’s the Ideal Temperature for CIP Cleaning ?
Around 50 °C is ideal. It maximizes the cleaning agent’s effectiveness without risking damage to seals or sensitive surfaces.
Can I Reuse the PBW Solution ?
Not recommended. After a cycle, the solution is loaded with organic residues. To ensure effective cleaning, it’s best to prepare a fresh batch each time.
Can I Use CIP with a Plastic/PET Fermenter ?
It’s possible, but with caution. Check the plastic’s heat resistance and avoid high temperatures.
Does CIP Fully Replace Manual Cleaning ?
It significantly reduces it, but doesn’t eliminate it entirely. Some components — valves, gaskets, accessories — still need to be disassembled and cleaned separately.
Which Product Should I Use for CIP Cleaning ?
We recommend Stellar Clean PBW — effective in both hot and cold conditions, non-caustic, and fully compatible with CIP systems.
Does the Setup Have to Be Tri-Clamp ?
No! While Tri-Clamp is the easiest option to implement, CIP systems can be adapted to other standards (BSP, Camlock…). Feel free to contact us to customize your setup.
Warning: If you choose a configuration with hose connectors, we recommend selecting a size equal to or greater than 19 mm. Below this, the flow will be restricted and the CIP ball will not operate optimally.
Regarding the hoses, if you do not choose FlexiRoyal, opt for PVC. We advise against silicone, as it tends to pinch and hinder the flow.
Conclusion
CIP cleaning isn’t reserved for large-scale operations. It’s an accessible, efficient, and scalable solution that saves time, secures cleaning procedures, and ensures consistent hygiene. By adopting a CIP system tailored to your setup, you take a decisive step toward mastering your brewing process.
At Rolling Beers, we support brewers through this transition. Whether you’re scaling up or simply seeking more precision, we offer Tri Clamp-compatible equipment, ready-to-use kits, and expert guidance to help you set up your system successfully.
Need help choosing your CIP equipment ?
👉 Explore our selection of CIP kits and accessories
👉 Reach out to our team for personalized advice based on your fermenter type: [email protected]