Really clear silicone tubing

[Bobby_M]

I've had silicone on my brew rig for at least 4 years and I bought my first bit from US Plastics and then got some of that really sweet discounted Cole-Palmer stuff from Ebay last year. I started stocking some imported tubing last year and thought it was the best I could do and still keep the price where it needs to be. I finally hooked up with a US based extruder that showed me how good silicone tubing can really be. Granted, I haven't had my hands on more than a few different samples, but does anyone have 1/2" ID, 1/8" wall silicone that they can read through? Here's a comparison... new U.S. based stuff on the left, China import on the right.

 

[vince805]

Pretty sweet! You planning on stocking this soon? Is the price comparable to your current silicone?

 

[stamandster]

That's awesome... I would use that for a "sight glass"...

 

[broadbill]

so the assumption is that the clearer the tubing is the better it is? Why is that?

 

[OneHoppyGuy]

I know where we are purchasing tubing for future stands...

Thanks Bobby for bringing another excellent product to our market. :rockin:

 

[pfgonzo]

Is the temperature rating lower on the clear hose?

 

[Bobby_M]

I have this stuff in stock right now and it's going to be the same price but I do have a special deal on 100 ft boxes because that's how I spec'd it out and it's really easy to ship.

The reason I think clearer is better is the same reason why I prefer silicone over thermoplastic. I like to see if I'm pulling air bubbles into my pump or to see if the pump is cavitating on the output. It also helps gauge wort clarity during recirculation.

The temp rating is still 500-600F like any other silicone.

 

[Yooper]

The reason I think clearer is better is the same reason why I prefer silicone over thermoplastic. I like to see if I'm pulling air bubbles into my pump or to see if the pump is cavitating on the output. It also helps gauge wort clarity during recirculation.

My silicone tubing is more like the one on the right, and it bugs me that I can't see when my wort has stopped and I end up pulling in air bubbles. I'd love to be able to see the wort!

I'll need to order some in the next month or two, as I want to change out all of my tubing. I'm happy to have a clear choice- thanks, Bobby!

 

[H-ost]

aesthetically pleasing...

As far as flexibility and not collapsing on itself it seems to work the same?

 

[l3asturd]

wish I could scrounge up some guys locally for a group buy. Ordered 20 feet hoping thats enough to replace my opaque silicone.

 

[jimmayhugh]

Sold!!

 

[Bobby_M]

aesthetically pleasing...

As far as flexibility and not collapsing on itself it seems to work the same?

It's actually about 20% more rigid in my rough estimate so it's less prone to kinking and collapse, but still soft enough to force over oversized barbs.

 

[TheOnionKnight]

Just placed an order. TGIF!

 

[bruin_ale]

Nice! I still have 40-50 feet of Cole Parmer tubing from e-bay though. Think I may replace the tubing between my HERMS out and MLT input for the reasons Yooper brings up. Would be really nice to be able to tell if the flow has stopped.

 

[OneHoppyGuy]

American made if for no other reason! :rockin:

 

[Bobby_M]

I wish I could say that about anything else I sell. In any case, I'm pretty psyched that it's even made in my home state.

 

[OneHoppyGuy]

I hear ya! I hate having to buy foreign parts... especially burners

 

[Irrenarzt]

The higher end platinum-cured Saint Gobain branded silicone tubing is pretty clear. It's more expensive than most homebrewers are willing to pay but it is really clear.

Just a data point.

 

[DustBow]

Nice find Bobby.
Your Ebay comment kind of made me chuckle...my buddy and I are still using the same silicone tubing we scored off of Ebay for less than $1/foot....I think those days are gone forever though.
Another thing to add to the cart on next order

 

[JRems]

Damn you Bobby! I bought 20 feet of the white silicone from you a couple months ago. Now I'm going to have to buy more of the new spiffy clear hose, dammit.

 

[Bobby_M]

Sorry about that. It's the one downside to constant improvement. There's always people who got in right before the improvement.

 

[jcav]

It's actually about 20% more rigid in my rough estimate so it's less prone to kinking and collapse, but still soft enough to force over oversized barbs.

Hey Bobby, will it stretch over 3/4 inch hose barbs?

John

 

[H-ost]

Well I was trying to fix something the other day and it required me to sacrifice my only two pieces of silicone tubing I use for brewing. It looks like I will be buying the new stuff now.

 

[Bobby_M]

Hey Bobby, will it stretch over 3/4 inch hose barbs?

John

Yes.

 

[jcav]

Yes.

Thanks Bobby, I will be ordering some in the near future.


John

 

[Gartywood]

I ordered some silicone on a whim from a competitor that had some hard to find hops in stock and think that I received this product.

It is awesome, does not kink, can see liquid flow will be great for moving from recirculating to fermenter discharge. It is floppy whereas the old silicone that I have is sort of rigid and kinks if you look at is cross eyed. I want MORE and bobby has the best delivered price for 10 feet.

Bobby can you confirm that this stuff is "floppy"

 

[cscade]

This stuff looks amazing. I'll be buying a whole box when I can afford it. My brewery uses ~40' of 1/2" silicone including all my transfer lines, and I'll be thrilled to replace it with this higher grade when the old stuff gets too stained.

 

[Bobby_M]

I don't know that I'd call it floppy. It's a little more rigid than the stuff I had previously but it doesn't kink easily.

 

[TyTanium]

I don't know that I'd call it floppy. It's a little more rigid than the stuff I had previously but it doesn't kink easily.

This quote is why context matters. (Yes, I might still be in middle school)

 

[TBaGZ]

had some arrive in the mail today... Can't wait to use it!