Silicon Tubing from Bargain Fittings

GamePreserve · Sep 11, 2010

As a base of comparison:
I was in my hardware store looking at Polyethelene tubing ("milk white") and it was a harder, rigid plastic tube. Too rigid to slide on an NPT barb.
i'm looking at the silicon tubing (-100F to 500F) from BargainFittings

http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=122

Who has experience with this "silicone" tubing from Bargain? Is it rigid, soft like aquarium tubing, or in between? Ive seen pics of it used with Camlock fittings, but i cant tell if it was slid on or clamped. I need to know what fittings are required before i buy some.
Cheers.
GamePreserve

Reelale · Sep 11, 2010

Very soft and pliable. I'm using mine clampless now, ala Bobby M's street elbows with camlocks. You can clamp them as well, although if you use the regular hose clamps, the silicone will "squish" through the worm gear notches if you tighten too much. Good stuff.

Fritztheelephant · Sep 11, 2010

It says you cannot restrict the flow on the output side? For the guys already using this, how do you control your flow?

mariojr · Sep 11, 2010

If you have a pump with a valve directly attached to the output there will be no pressure in the tubing to cause it to expand. I'm sure that's what most brewers do.

BargainFittings · Sep 11, 2010

You control the flow before the tubing. If using a pump you put the valve right on the outlet of the pump.

Think balloon and you have the right idea when it comes to pressuring silicone tubing.

If you find yourself pressuring this tubing on a regular basis, then thermoplastic tubing might be a better choice for you.

Krelja · Sep 11, 2010

Its been covered pretty well so far. The tubing is great and it stays nice a plyable but not like a wet noodle. I use a zip tie to hold it on the barb it works great and doesn't mark up the tubing at all.