National Homebrew Club Ireland

Brewing Discussions => Equipment & Chemicals => Topic started by: Fal on April 20, 2015, 05:14:50 PM

Title: Using plastic piping for mash tun manifold
Post by: Fal on April 20, 2015, 05:14:50 PM
Does any know if you can safely use plastic piping (see images attached) used in house hold plumbing systems for the manifold on a mash tun or even a wort chiller?

There was some building work going on
in work and there is loads of it left around that I thought I could re-purpose it for something. I tried to get any markings I could see on them in the pictures.

Thanks.
Title: Re: Using plastic piping for mash tun manifold
Post by: johnrm on April 20, 2015, 05:36:37 PM
That looks like qualpex.
Look for the spec sheet online.
I'm sure of you search the forum you'll see discussion on this.
Copper is better if there's any of that lying around, plus the qualpex fittings can be an Arse for disassembly.
Title: Re: Using plastic piping for mash tun manifold
Post by: Will_D on April 20, 2015, 09:25:27 PM
If the first pic says "max temp 90C" then its not Qualplex! Also its th ewrong colour!

Where were they using this and what's the OD?
Title: Re: Using plastic piping for mash tun manifold
Post by: Fal on April 20, 2015, 09:36:34 PM
OD? It was mainly used for running hot and cold water from the water tanks and boilers to the toilets, showers etc. but it was also used to connect the oil tanks to the burner I think. Yes the pic says max temp 90c alright.

There's also some grey plastic piping used for something similar I'll check out too.

If I find out the manufacturer, what should I be looking for on the spec sheet?
Title: Re: Using plastic piping for mash tun manifold
Post by: Will_D on April 20, 2015, 09:38:13 PM
OD: Outside Diameter
Title: Re: Using plastic piping for mash tun manifold
Post by: Fal on April 20, 2015, 09:51:09 PM
There's various diameter pipes left over to choose from. The one in the first pic is 3/4 inch and the other is 1/2 inch, I think the exact diameter on the first is 22mm
Title: Re: Using plastic piping for mash tun manifold
Post by: johnrm on April 20, 2015, 10:04:38 PM
Qualpex or similar then.
The first pic shows 70C @8bar, 90C @6bar
Title: Re: Using plastic piping for mash tun manifold
Post by: Garry on April 20, 2015, 10:33:06 PM
It looks like qualpex to me. It has been used by some brewers to make mash tun manifolds. There's a tutorial on Beoir (http://www.beoir.org/index.php/articles-mainmenu-36/brewing-knowledge/equipment-mainmenu-45/94-simple-mash-tun-for-diy-dummies).

As for a wort chiller, the 3/4" qualpex can be used to make a counter flow chiller. Look here (http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.com/forum/index.php/topic,2763.0.html).