i am intrigued to do a test of bevlex 200 vs the tygon b-44-3 which they claim is "taste free and odor free". The tygon is just a PVC tubing so it would be just as flexible but if it has better taste protection properties I am all for it.
i am intrigued to do a test of bevlex 200 vs the tygon b-44-3 which they claim is "taste free and odor free". The tygon is just a PVC tubing so it would be just as flexible but if it has better taste protection properties I am all for it.
I would really like to stay with a 3/16" solution to keep the hose clutter to a minimum in my keezer but if I have to go with 1/4" it's not that big of a deal I suppose. Did you order your tubing directly from Better Bottle? Do you know if they would sell it in a 50' section?
The b-44-3 is a "food and dairy" version of the tygon. It's an upgrade from their regular Tygon beverage tubing. The idea is you can run milk through it, then change to something else. It's so smooth it doesn't harbor bacteria and doesn't deteriorate like other PVC from frequent, harsh cleaning and sterilization. You can get data from the Tygon website.
I haven't used it yet, but it will be what I change to, if I detect any problems with my new setup. In other threads, people that tasted problems with normal PVC said the Tygon didn't.
Rich
I'm getting ready to order tubing for an 8 faucet tower. Could we get away with the 1/16th wall tubing? It's half the price of the 1/8th wall, but if it won't hold up then I will have paid too little for my tubing.
I ordered 500' of the bev-seal, used what I needed, and am selling cut to length @$.25/ft + $10 shipping (a bit more if you get over 75'). I think I have about 200' left.
PM me if interested.
I switched a few weeks ago from PVC tubing to Tygon B-44-4X.
Plastic taste is gone!
I did have to use the plastic inserts in the corny keg to reduce the flow speed but it was totally worth it to get better tasting beer.
I am using three inserts for 30psi sparkling water setup and 1-2 inserts for the other kegs at 10-12psi.
Thanks for giving us all the heads up on the Tygon! I have a couple more questions:
1. For your beer lines, what temperature, line length, and height of tap (above keg)? I was thinking of just getting a 10 ft. section and skipping the inserts.
2. Did you get the 3/16"I.D. -5/16"O.D.(1/16" thick) line?
Inserts in the Corny kegs to reduce flow rate? Where does one get them and how are they installed? I was just about to pull the trigger on this Tygon tubing. Is it because it's so smooth on the interior that there is a flow rate/foam issue without the inserts?
Thanks guys for all the great info, I'm building a keezer, and this has definitely helped me choose beer lines.
I found this link on eBay if anyone is interested.Linky
Looks like that guy really liked your reviews too, Kal. You should get royalties!
For all you that "taste" the beer line, what kinds of beer do you taste it with? And this "taste" is compared to what?
I didn't buy the tygon as I don't detect anything in two different "beer lines" I purchased. But I make hoppy beers (40 IBUs or more) and have no "control" to compare against.
To quote my original post:
Happens with light lagers to heavy IPA's. It's a rubber boot type taste.
I tested multiple types of vinyl hose and poly tubing. Testing was done by leaving water in each hose/tubing (not connected to anything) for 24-48 hours. The water was then tasted and compared to just regular tap water.
Kal
Well, I'm not getting it with two different beer lines(NSF rated) and beer, not water. I don't think either line is the same as the ones you have in your test, however, although they are clearly PVC. So it could be the lines, it could be different taste buds, or it could be something else....
Too soft. They can't take pressure at all.What about silicone tubing, has anyone tried sanitary silicone tubing for beer lines?
Good find on the Tygon tubing, plus it would be great to buy from someone who doesn't put religious tracts in the delivery box. Keep in mind this stuff is really slick on the inside and the resistance is 1/2 that of regular tubing. I'm finding I need about 10 ft to properly balance 12 psi to the faucet. Be sure to buy smaller clamps too, since the walls are only 1/16th your standard Oeticker clamps won't work.
Is that 10 feet plus flow restrictors like the McMaster Carr epoxy mixers? At 10' 12psi is it well balanced? Thought I might finally pull the trigger on some new hose as I'm tired of the wasting the first 4oz of my beer.
I'm thinking I might just take the guess work out and buy 100' for 6-8 taps which gives me 12.5-16 feet per line. I guess this is how lack of experience costs money.
I use 10 feet without any epoxy mixers etc. Haven't had any foam issues thus far.
What do you typically have the pressure set at? Thanks for posting the ebay link.
Usually around 12psi or so, sometimes a bit higher.
Scut Monkey,
What I did with my set up is to use a small section of tubing with 7/16" ID, split it lengthwise, put it over the Tygon tubing, then put the worm clamp over it.
The clamp should just secure the tubing on the nipple, not make it air/liquid tight, so for that purpose my method should work fine.
Hope it helps.
Has anyone located a reasonably priced source for the Tygon tubing ScutMonkey has in his post. I have some of it but I could use a bit more and the ebay seller doesn't have any more available.
To follow up - I bought 100' of the Bev-Seal from Better Bottle. The BB people were great and shipped it quickly. I've installed it in a kegerator at about 20ft runs and a keezer at about 15ft runs. Even with the little swizzles in the beer pickup tubes, I am still getting unbearable foam at 12-15psi. My 20psi beer is simply unserveable through the tap.
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