National Homebrew Club Ireland

Brewing Discussions => Equipment & Chemicals => Topic started by: Dr Jacoby on March 26, 2013, 02:51:50 PM

Title: Flexible beer/gas tubing
Post by: Dr Jacoby on March 26, 2013, 02:51:50 PM
I'm looking to replace the JG fittings and inflexible beer/gas lines I use at the moment and replace them with flexible tubing and barb fittings. I'm sick of dealing with leaks and inflexible tubing in my fridge, which doesn't have a lot of spare space inside.

I was looking at the tubing options from the HomeBrew Company and was wondering whether this (http://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/polythene-tubing-clear-38-id-per-metre-p-74.html) is suitable. I plan to use this for gas and liquid if possible. Any thoughts?
Title: Re: Flexible beer/gas tubing
Post by: Ciderhead on March 26, 2013, 03:18:43 PM
Well for a start its not Polythene its flexible PVC.
Its ok for short term but gas will permeate unless its multilayer unlike your current grey gas tubing.
Title: Re: Flexible beer/gas tubing
Post by: Rats on March 26, 2013, 04:52:06 PM
Quote

I was looking at the tubing options from the HomeBrew Company and was wondering whether this (http://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/polythene-tubing-clear-38-id-per-metre-p-74.html) is suitable. I plan to use this for gas and liquid if possible. Any thoughts?
Been using it for the past 8 months inside the fridge and outside for beer and gas.So far no problems or leaks.
Even using it to get water from HLT to MT and circulate the wart while cooling it.
Title: Re: Flexible beer/gas tubing
Post by: Dr Jacoby on March 27, 2013, 11:53:53 AM
Shane from the Homebrew Company got back to me and said he doesn't recommend using the flexible tubing they sell for high pressure applications. I bought some 3/16 inch superflex tubing from Morebeer before and it was really thick but still flexible enough to be manageable in a tight space (and it works up to 70psi). With shipping it's very expensive so I was hoping to find a supplier of similar tubing over here. 
Title: Re: Flexible beer/gas tubing
Post by: wallacebiy on March 27, 2013, 12:40:41 PM
Group Buy anyone ?

We could buy some really top end tubing

like this http://radionics.rs-online.com/web/p/flexible-tubes/7621339/

or similar

Buy a 50m roll of the stuff ?
Title: Re: Flexible beer/gas tubing
Post by: Dr Jacoby on March 27, 2013, 01:28:33 PM
It looks like most of the flexible tubes on that site won't work above 15psi or so. Here's (http://morebeer.com/products/superflex-beverage-tubing-316-id-foot.html) the tubing I got off morebeer. It's rated for 70psi. Something along these lines would be great.
Title: Re: Flexible beer/gas tubing
Post by: Rats on March 27, 2013, 05:15:02 PM
I force carb over short periods of time with mine up to 30 psi with no problem.Mine is under constant pressure of about 10-12 psi. :-/
Title: Re: Flexible beer/gas tubing
Post by: wallacebiy on March 28, 2013, 02:50:12 PM
I will search around for Higher pressure tubing

THe one above is just an example ,
there's lots of Process tubing around that should be more suitable for the Homebrewer
Flexible , High temp resistant , food grade , easily cleaned Long lasting .

Problem is , it's all likely only sold on rolls of 30 or 50m and so isn't worth the price for a supplier to get it in and sell by the metre ( he could end up stuck with a hundred euro worth of great tubing )
Group buy a roll though and we could get the ultimate tubing . Might cost around the same or a little more than regular pvc or whatever . But might be more useful for more applications .
Title: Re: Flexible beer/gas tubing
Post by: Dr Jacoby on March 28, 2013, 04:39:20 PM
Would braided PVC hose tick most of those boxes? I found these guys (http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Reinforced-CLEAR-PVC-Braided-Hose-Water-Pipe-Flexible-Plastic-Food-Air-Tubing-uk-/130644896462?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=430128001524&hash=item1e6b0aeace) earlier. It's food grade and the working pressure at 20C seems ok (it's in bar not psi - maybe this is mistake though?)