Thin wall vinyl tube

[mattd2]

Has anyone used the 3/16 thin wall vinyl tube for kegging? I don't know (well I haven't really looked too hard) where to get the thick stuff from but I can get the thin stuff no problems, from what I can tell its about 1 - 1.5mm wall thickness vs about 3mm.
So has anyone used this stuff or does anyone have advice on whether to use it or not?
Thanks

 

[HairyDogBrewing]

I've been using the 3/16 vinyl icemaker tubing from Home Depot.
Warm it up in boiling water and slip over the barb.
I haven't been using any clamps.
No problems so far (30-some batches). YMMV.

 

[Ohio-Ed]

Smell the tubing real closely... that's what your first pull will taste like each time.
Some folks have had issues with off tastes from different tubing. Not to say you will, but something to keep in mind.

 

[DKershner]

I use some for jumpers between kegs. Aside from the resistance seeming to be less, I don't notice a difference.

 

[Ohio-Ed]

I use some for jumpers between kegs. Aside from the resistance seeming to be less, I don't notice a difference.

I am a bit sensitive to this...
I went through a period where I was having problems with nearly every brew I made having a very slight taste like a new shower curtain liner smells.

I read some threads about off flavors coming from beer lines. In most cases, that issue seemed to be related to beer sitting in the lines for awhile (days). And the first pull was the worst.

In my case, the problem turned out to be a RV water hose.

Using it for jumpers, without much contact time, might be OK. Or maybe your hose is different that what I used?

Ed

 

[mattd2]

So to summarise whats been said already;
There shouldn't be much/any issue in regards to it holding up against the pressure, etc.
If it smells bad then it will probably make the first beer taste bad (x2 posts)
Resistance might be a bit less = might need a bit more tubing.

So the main issue is the smell/taste, but isn't this true for any vinyl tube no matter if it is thick or thin? What are the alternatives?

 

[DKershner]

Using it for jumpers, without much contact time, might be OK. Or maybe your hose is different that what I used?

http://www.brewbrothers.biz/kegging.htm

Halfway down the page. You can ask them more specifically what brand it is and such, there are no markings on the line itself.

My contact time is near zero, so it wouldn't matter if it smelled like feet, which it doesn't.

I have a few types of line in my keezer, all thick walled because I need the resistance. One is a perlick line, others are bev...something. Never had a hint of plastic from those either.

 

[DKershner]

So to summarise whats been said already;
There shouldn't be much/any issue in regards to it holding up against the pressure, etc.
If it smells bad then it will probably make the first beer taste bad (x2 posts)
Resistance might be a bit less = might need a bit more tubing.

So the main issue is the smell/taste, but isn't this true for any vinyl tube no matter if it is thick or thin? What are the alternatives?

Correct on all accounts.

For info on alternatives and testing: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f35/beer-line-tests-solution-plastic-taste-60380/

 

[mattd2]

Thanks, looks like I will be going to get the thin walled "non toxic" food grade stuff from the local hardware shop once my other parts come in. Hopefully I am not sensitive to the plastic taste that might be there but if it gets me up and running it I live with it. Only got room for 1 keg in the fridge so hopefully it won't sit for to long without the beer moving

 

[cheesecake]

Im using the thin walled tubing from mcmaster its like .17 cents a foot and i get little to no off flavors compared to the cheap crap keg connection sold me with my kegging setup

 

[Cpt_Kirks]

I use 10 foot coils of that 3/16 tubing for my beer lines. Never noticed any plastic smell or taste, but I run some oxy water through it, then rinse it with clean water, then run some starsan water though it before I try it with beer.

Cleaning kegs FTW!!!

:rockin: