dip tube resource?

Looking for where poeple have purchased their dip tubes or where they have bought the materials. At this point i would like to go Stainless. I'm assuming thats 1/4 tubing?? I will also entertain the idea of using copper.

I would think this would be the same tubing to put on the inside as a return tube.

let mw know what you guys have done.

CHI company

http://www.chicompany.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_3_79&products_id=404


That one is the angled tube. They also have straight tubes.


I think it would be hard to make one from plain raw tubing. You'd have to get that wide flat flare and o-ring seat in it. Not sure how you'd do that.

I think 1/4" will be way too small, and from what I've seen most people use 1/2". I used copper because I'm cheap and I already had it on hand.



I've seen a lot of people on here that use the SS one from bargain fittings, and they seem to be happy with them.

http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=94

1/2" SS can be found reasonably priced on e-bay and with a little knowledge and skill can be bent to a desired shape. There are a few threads here showing some nice custom bent SS HERMS coils, return arms, and dip-tubes. There was one recently showing a nice looking SS whirlpool return arm, but I can't seem to find it. I plan on making my return arm with copper just like my current dip-tube.

+1 on the bargainfittings.com pickup tubes. i just got a couple stainless ones for my single tier build. I like that he give you the option of making it a permanant fitting or just using o-rings so you can change it around. what i mean by that is he sends you two o-rings that make a seal around the 1/2" pickup tube and he sends you a stainless compression ring that you can compress onto the tube.

I used a broken racking can that I had laying around. It fit perfectly into a plastic QD fitting (3/8 I think). Then the QD fitting screwed into the brass elbow coming off the keggle. I'll post a pic if anyone needs it but it's a pretty simple build.

Edit:
Oops, I was thinking site glass not dip tube. 1/2 in copper pipe with a sweated on elbow works fine just like in the picture. I extended mine all the way to the middle though.

clarifcation: dip tubes for kettles, not cornies.

kegtoe said:

Looking for where poeple have purchased their dip tubes or where they have bought the materials. At this point i would like to go Stainless. I'm assuming thats 1/4 tubing?? I will also entertain the idea of using copper.

I would think this would be the same tubing to put on the inside as a return tube.

let mw know what you guys have done.

Click to expand...

If you are talking about a keggle, 1/2 inch is the most common size tubing. Some people use 3/8ths. The coupling on the inside of the keggle is usually a 1/2 inch NPT fitting. So you can use a brass 5/8" OD Compression fitting x 1/2" Mips to connect to a piece of hand bent tubing (what I use) or soldered copper pipe (two straight lengths and a 90 or 45 degree elbow. 1/2 inch ID copper tubing has a 5/8th inch OD.

anyone make/bend thier own? i see grainger has some 1/2 304 stainless pieces. Not sure on what wall thickness i would want.

Even with those bending spring sleeves, it's almost impossible to make a smooth bend in 1/2" stainless tubing. As much as I love stainless, the better DIY option would be soft copper.

you dont have these available do you bobby?

I also sent you a PM the other day regarding one of your videos on you tube.

Bobby_M said:

Even with those bending spring sleeves, it's almost impossible to make a smooth bend in 1/2" stainless tubing. As much as I love stainless, the better DIY option would be soft copper.

Click to expand...

I am still in need of a pickup tube... not sure what direction I want to go, probably soft copper and a 1/2" compression fitting , and 1/2" street 90.

-=Jason=-

why a street elbow> i think they make npt.compression elbows

Flomaster said:

I am still in need of a pickup tube... not sure what direction I want to go, probably soft copper and a 1/2" compression fitting , and 1/2" street 90.

-=Jason=-

Click to expand...

yep, found one

Lil' Sparky said:

Not really. You just need a way to return the wort to the mash. Here's my return line. When I'm pumping, the wort swirls around on top of the mash, so I know I'm not drilling holes down in the grain bed. That's really what you want to avoid.

Click to expand...

yes thats exactly the pickup tube I am going for but on the bottom.

really I have a boil kettle and my first brew is going to be extract and I'll be using a hop bag so I doubt I'll need a screen or false bottom.

-=Jason=-