Randall and brass fittings

[Schnitzengiggle]

I know the brass and lead leaching debate will go on for eternity, but I wanted some clarification and advice on the use of brass fittings for my Randall build.

Basically I will have two brass 1/4" MPT x 3/8" MFL adapters that will be used for the in and out flow of the filter housing (connected to Firestone posts for QD's), and one brass 1/4" MFL tee (with 1/4"ffl barbs attached for the hose) that I will use to splice before the Randall to serve non-randallized beer through a picnic tap.

My question is exactly what problems can the brass fittings pose on the flavor of my beer?

I have read that the acidity from the beer and the carbonation can have an adverse effect on the flavor of the beer in addition to some lead leaching (which I am not too concerned about because there is such a small surface area that will actually be in contact with the beer) but I am concerned about any off flavors that the brass may lead to.

Is there anyone knowledgeable on this subject that can provide me with some answers to my concerns?

Again, this will be a dispensing application and not a brewing application, so my concern arises from the acidic environment created by the beer and the carbonic acid from carbonation that the fittings will come into contact with.

Any advice/recommendations will be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance.

 

[gointomexico]

I used to use brass, but I am slowly phasing it out in my brewery. I don't think that there would be an issue, but for 20 bucks you could buy all stainless and not have to worry about it. I get all of my stainless barbs and such locally at mcguckins hardware. the guys at grainger said that they could get me parts too, but I think they are more expensive. I pay about 6 bucks a barbed fitting.

Tee
1/4" Stainless Steel Barb Tee: www.kegkits.com

I don't know what mfl is? Something like this perhaps:
1/2" MPT x 1/4" Stainless Steel Braided Hose Adapter | QC Supply

 

[Schnitzengiggle]

MFL = male flare fitting, FFL= female flare fitting, and the tee I would need would have to be 1/4" MFL, not a barb.

I can get SS, but I already have Brass, so if there would be no issue or at least very minor impact on my beer, then I won't worry about it.

These are three small fittings, and my original thought was that there will be such a small contact area over all, but I read some info on flavor impact due to the acidity from the carbonated beer.

So, once again flavor is the main concern.

The one thing to bear in mind is that the tee will be inline before the faucet, so my set up will go:

keg out => brass tee (one line to picnic) => randall in (brass mfl adapter) => randall out (brass mfl adapter) => faucet

 

[gointomexico]

if its for a few hours I couldn't imagine that there would be a flavor impact. I wouldnt worry in that case. I just wouldn't store it in brass long term imho.

I used brass in my home brew gear since '92 and I haven't noticed any effect whatsoever. I think your good to go.

 

[Schnitzengiggle]

Well the beer will be in the randall for as long as it takes me to serve the 5 gallons, so beer would be in contact with the brass fittings for extended periods.

 

[gointomexico]

oh, ok. I would go stainless. I have left some brass in water before and it had a definite metallic odor after a few days, and the brass turned black. It could have been from the chlorine in the water, larger contact area, who knows for sure. i tossed them and bought new ones.

Personally I wouldn't risk it. I'm pretty sure that the extended contact time would leach brass/lead/nickle whatever else into your beer.

 

[wyzazz]

THIS shank is brass, albeit chrome plated. And most standard micromatic faucets on draft systems are chrome plated brass as well. I think you'll be just fine.

 

[Schnitzengiggle]

Yes, but the chrome plating is the protective barrier against metal leaching and corrosion, I am talking about plain non-chrome/nickel plated brass fittings.

 

[wyzazz]

The insides of the faucets are not plated, nor are the insides of the shanks. In addition all the moving parts inside of every non SS faucet I've taken apart are uncoated brass. All 8 of my faucets have brass innards, I pull them every other keg to clean them.

 

[Schnitzengiggle]

The insides of the faucets are not plated, nor are the insides of the shanks. In addition all the moving parts inside of every non SS faucet I've taken apart are uncoated brass. All 8 of my faucets have brass innards, I pull them every other keg to clean them.

Good to know, I didn't even think about the shanks and faucets them not being plated on the inside, and I know they are not. That didn't even cross my mind.

Okay, then it sounds like there will be no issues using the brass fittings since the beer is already in contact with brass.

FWIW, I haven't dismantled my perlick faucets for a thorough cleaning yet. I wonder if there is brass inside them as well?

Thanks for your info.

Cheers.

 

[wyzazz]

Good to know, I didn't even think about the shanks and faucets them not being plated on the inside, and I know they are not. That didn't even cross my mind.

Okay, then it sounds like there will be no issues using the brass fittings since the beer is already in contact with brass.

FWIW, I haven't dismantled by perlick faucets for a thorough cleaning yet. I wonder if there is brass inside them as well?

Thanks for your info.

Cheers.

No worries. If they are 425 or 525 SS models then everything should be Stainless.

 

[Schnitzengiggle]

525's