Importance of cleaning valves

[augiedoggy]

Bottom line, ball valves suck.

I don't understand why pinch valves aren't more common in HB set ups. The are dirty simple and cheap. It's a glorified hose clamp!

and I dont understand why the 3 piece valves are so often preferred over the 2 piece design which comes apart with the unscrewing of the end directly instead of all those nuts... cosmetics I think which is likely the answer to your question as well.

 

[MaryB]

I use my garden hose sprayer on its high pressure stream setting and cycle the valve on and off 20 times or so. I get wet doing it but the valves seem to be staying clean.

 

[The_Bishop]

and I dont understand why the 3 piece valves are so often preferred over the 2 piece design which comes apart with the unscrewing of the end directly instead of all those nuts... cosmetics I think which is likely the answer to your question as well.

For my setup (silver soldered fittings in kettle) a three piece is far, far easier to disassemble than a 'standard' ball valve. Also, of the two, the three piece is better designed for teardown/cleaning than a 'standard' ball valve. The parts that'll wear with disassembly are easily replaced (bolts and nuts) as well.

 

[mattd2]

For my setup (silver soldered fittings in kettle) a three piece is far, far easier to disassemble than a 'standard' ball valve. Also, of the two, the three piece is better designed for teardown/cleaning than a 'standard' ball valve. The parts that'll wear with disassembly are easily replaced (bolts and nuts) as well.

Both types are designed to be taken apart. The purpose of the three piece design is so the threaded parts can stay in position when servicing (such as you not wanting to touch the soldered part while cleaning out your valve)

 

[The_Bishop]

I'd say of the two, the three-piece is going to be more robust in the long term in regards to regular disassembly and cleaning. While the two piece valves *can* be disassembled, they're not really meant to be. That's why there's usually a type of threadlocker compound on the threads between the two pieces.

 

[mattd2]

I'd say of the two, the three-piece is going to be more robust in the long term in regards to regular disassembly and cleaning. While the two piece valves *can* be disassembled, they're not really meant to be. That's why there's usually a type of threadlocker compound on the threads between the two pieces.

Where do you get the idea that two piece valves are not meant to be disassembled? Remember that these valves are industrial items that us homebrewers have repurposed for our needs since they are cheaper than the valves a professional brewery would use and the extra effort to keep them clean isn't an issue like it would be for the pros.
The main reason ball valves are disassembled in an industrial setting is mainly to replace the seats and seals if they start to leak or pass fluid. If 2 piece valves are used the entire line would need to be disassembled to get the valve out, whereas with 3 piece valves the valve body can be pulled out to be serviced while leaving the valve ends in place.

 

[The_Bishop]

Two piece valves, by their very design, are not meant to be torn down for cleaning/repair. They're a disposable item. If you need to disassemble the plumbing going into and out of a valve to tear it down for cleaning or repair, it's not really meant to be torn down that way. A three piece valve, by it's very nature, can be disassembled for repair/cleaning without disturbing the original plumbing.

I've done actual work in actual industrial settings. If it was a valve that required cleaning/maintenance, it was a 3-piece. Also, two piece valves are *not* industrial items. They're generally for water plumbing.

 

[aarong]

My personal experience with two piece valves is that they're hard to seperate. If you have one that you can easily disassemble that's great and it would be much easier to take apart. I recently saw blichmans needle valve. Has anyone found a cheaper alternative to that design?