bulkhead ball valve

Got my parts for my mash tun bulkhead project. Lowes didn't have the 1/2" threaded ball valve i wanted. So i got the 1/2" with waste port and the industrial 1/2" threaded. The industrial says it's bronze, while the other is brass.

I know we've all been using brass, but what's the problem with bronze?



Left is the brass with waste port. Right is industrial. You can see the color difference on the outside (bronze) but to me, the inner part looks brass. Can i use this instead? It was normally twice as much as the brass, but it was on clearance for $5

http://www.lowes.com/pd_331187-6100...2+npt+locknut&Ns=p_product_price|0&facetInfo= industrial

http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay...gId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1 normal

They are both alloys of copper. Bronze is copper and tin, Brass is copper and zinc.

Either will work. Go with the no lead one - Bronze.

thanks. I was leaning towards bronze b/c its guaranteed lead free, made in USA, and just looks heavier duty. I think I'll pick up two more to stock up for when I make a HLT and Keggle

Ok bronze is on and no leaks. Im using steel/zinc washers and might go for stainless. Although zinc is a natural metal we consume

Zinc coating will eat off the washers very quickly and you will have rust.

mendozer said:

Ok bronze is on and no leaks. Im using steel/zinc washers and might go for stainless. Although zinc is a natural metal we consume

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You'll want SS if it is in contact with your wort.

That's what I thought. I'll be going to a Fastenal store near my house tomorrow for them. What about a coupling pipe? or even the nipple? Those are brass now. And this is for the tun, not boiling wort