siphon hoses

[Cos]

Do you have to use "food grade" hoses? I can't find any locally. I'd like to get a bigger (5/8") hose to siphon faster. Can I use the hoses they sell at the hardware store as long as they're sanitized?

 

[FlyGuy]

My hardware store sells food grade tubing -- it is often used for water lines, and such. Are you SURE what yours sells isn't food grade? Check the packaging carefully -- it might not be that obvious.

And yes, if your racking cane/autosiphon/etc. are all the right size, you can definitely use larger diameter hose for racking. Just be careful to throttle back a bit (pinch the hose) when you first start moving beer around -- it will splash and aerate more at the higher rate of flow.