1/2'' Silicone tubing

[JVD_X]

Here is an article on barbs:

http://www.hydraulicspneumatics.com/200/Issue/Article/False/6482/Issue

 

[Boar Beer]

Excellent thread - just when I was looking for replacement tubing!

I am currently replacing PEX tubing with silicone. The PEX is opaque, and far too rigid to easily sanitize.

Those of you using the silicone tubing, what kind of clamps are you using to attach your fittings? I want to ensure that I don't tear into the tubing, as the USPlastic site warns: "Care is recommended in the selection of fittings and clamps for Silcon...unlined metal clamps could tear into the wall"

I'm currently using an ear style clamp on the PEX:
http://www.micromatic.com/images/3/300x300/1317.jpg

I didn't know if a standard adjustable hose clamp would work okay for the silicone solution.

What are you using?

We are using the water tube type connections with no clamp. In this way we can easily change the tubes as needed. The long end on the water tube type connection is easier to handle and works just fine with no leakage.

I have some 1/2 in pex tube connectors and they work fine but are just a little more difficult to slip the tube on and off.

 

[Boar Beer]

Colkrausen

I cant get my picutres any bigger. mmmm...must be doing something wrong.

This is the fitting we like the best


This is a Pex tube fitting which also works with no clamp

 

[colkrausen]

Wow, there it is... no clamp. And no leaks?

What are the dimensions, ID and OD of your tube, and the size of that pex fitting?

Being able to pull the hose off the barb quickly would be a nice feature to have.

 

[Irrenarzt]

I use standard ear clamps, no issues.

 

[mplutodh1]

Yup, Austin is the cheapest. I got mine from USplastics but that was during a free shipping promotion so the price was unbeatable.

Bobby - random question; but with your build - about how long were the hoses and how many total (just trying to get a ballpark # for a typical single tier build).

In checking recently - still looks like Austin Homebrew is the best price for silicone tubing.

 

[springer]

I use large zip ties on the silicon I'll get a pic this weekend and when you need to remove just use a diagonal cutting plies cheap and secure

 

[IrregularPulse]

I use large zip ties on the silicon I'll get a pic this weekend and when you need to remove just use a diagonal cutting plies cheap and secure

I do this too for the one hose in my current setup. It's on of the tan high temp ones and it goes from my BK ball valve to my CFC. You want to be careful cutting it off. Mine as a few nicks on each end. None that are through the hose but just something to be aware of when cutting zip times each brew day. Maybe have a spare hose on hand just in case.

 

[springer]

I don't take the hose very often no nicks as of yet but it may be that I use the mini Snap on side cutters I can get it in between the tube and the clamp. I saw at Lowe' reusable/releasable zip ties I think I will pick some up this weekend

 

[EvilGnome6]

I use large zip ties on the silicon I'll get a pic this weekend and when you need to remove just use a diagonal cutting plies cheap and secure

I use zip ties and a tie wrap gun:





Zip ties are dirt cheap and I got the tie wrap gun for about $8 at Harbor Freight. The zip ties don't chew up the tubing like the worm clamps do and I've had zero problems with leaks.

 

[BargainFittings]

I use zip ties and a tie wrap gun:

View attachment 13861

View attachment 13862

Zip ties are dirt cheap and I got the tie wrap gun for about $8 at Harbor Freight. The zip ties don't chew up the tubing like the worm clamps do and I've had zero problems with leaks.

Thanks,

Another tool I have to buy now

 

[dutchoven]

Awesome ... We already have Jaybird ... Why not throw in a jaylong? Foodsafe????

 

[nu2brewing]

Northern Brewer has their 3/4" O.D. x 1/2" I.D. silicone tubing for $1.65/ft. That's a great price!

 

[Bobby_M]

Northern Brewer has their 3/4" O.D. x 1/2" I.D. silicone tubing for $1.65/ft. That's a great price!

Where did you see that? I don't think I even saw that size silicone tubing on their site.

 

[Islandboy85]

I use zip ties and a tie wrap gun:

Zip ties are dirt cheap and I got the tie wrap gun for about $8 at Harbor Freight. The zip ties don't chew up the tubing like the worm clamps do and I've had zero problems with leaks.

We do this on a bunch of the sink and toilet hoses on airplanes. Same silicone hose too. Works like a champ.

 

[Keith577]

I personally have never seen food grade 1/2" silicone tubing at any HD.

 

[alien]

I got 10 metres of 1/2" EPDM (diary wash down hose, FDA certified food grade) for about $50 delivered. Opaque white, quite thick walls, fairly stiff, good to over 100°C.

 

[Islandboy85]

I got 10 metres of 1/2" EPDM (diary wash down hose, FDA certified food grade) for about $50 delivered. Opaque white, quite thick walls, fairly stiff, good to over 100°C.

Link?

 

[alien]

http://www.hoseworld.com/acatalog/hot_water_and_steam_hose.html (based in UK).

I'm sure you can get it in the USA too.

 

[Bobby_M]

Here in the U.S., silicone tubing runs in the neighborhood of $2 to $4 a foot. Chinese import is at the bottom end of the price spectrum and name brand U.S. extruded is at the high end. I believe I have the lowest price on very clear U.S. extruded material. It gets even better if you buy a 100' box.

The earlier mention of NB's $1.65/ft stuff is not silicone but thermoplastic. It's also high temp but you can't see through it and it's not so great at stretching over large barbs. Certainly better than PVC, but not quite as good as silicone.

 

[PistolsAtDawn]

I believe I have the lowest price on very clear U.S. extruded material. It gets even better if you buy a 100' box.

This is how I felt when I just now visited your site:

(Okay not that dramatic)

 

[Bobby_M]

For a while there I was depressed about having to close down but that reference made it completely worth it. Just please don't shoot me in the ass with a BB gun.

 

[alien]

Something else that might be worth considering is this stuff:

http://www.hoseworld.com/acatalog/food_quality_hose.html

BREWERS SUCTION & DELIVERY HOSE
RED COLOUR NR/SBR COVER
TEXTILE REINFORCEMENT
WHITE EPDM FDA KTW & BGVV APPROVED LINING - NON TASTING / NON TAINTING
SUITABLE FOR BEERS, WINES AND ALCHOHOLIC DRINKS

EPDM lining means high temperature. I have seen this hose in brewery builds but don't know where to buy it in the USA.

I suspect it is this stuff: "Alispir red food hose"

http://www.grene.com/shop/action/it....+ALISPIR,EPDM+FDA+QUAL.+Dim.+1"++(25x36,5mm)

 

[Bobby_M]

EPDM lined "hoses" like this typically run over $12-15 a foot.

 

[alien]

That's out then.

I may have found a source for the dairy washdown hose. It is high temp, does not say food grade. At $1.05 (per foot?) it might be worth asking about.

http://www.atlantarubber.com/store/index.php?prod=94418

 

[Irrenarzt]

Messing with anything other than silicone is a recipe for cancer. Just get hose from Bobby M and live a happy healthy life and take pride in knowing you are supporting a fellow enthusiast.

 

[alien]

Your words, not his. Bobby is the greatest in my eyes.

I'll take my chances with the FDA approved, food grade certified, high temperature dairy hose.

 

[PistolsAtDawn]

For a while there I was depressed about having to close down but that reference made it completely worth it. Just please don't shoot me in the ass with a BB gun.

Get me Christie Brinkley in a Ferrari and we'll talk.