When to replace silicone hoses? Do they go bad?

[kiwipen]

When do you have to replace silicone hoses? Do they go bad over time? If they do, what happens to them then?

 

[schematix]

Only way I've seen them go bad is if you try to put hose pressure through one while the other end is closed. Replacement becomes a necessity.

 

[November]

Only way I've seen them go bad is if you try to put hose pressure through one while the other end is closed. Replacement becomes a necessity.

...and can involve some clean up.

Yup, done it.

 

[day_trippr]

Some of the 1/2" thickwall silicone tubing on my brew rig is at least 4 years old now.
Those are the runs that I didn't bulge from the aforementioned operator error
I expect there is a finite lifespan to them but I haven't hit it yet.
Odds are I'll bulge them before they die of old age

Cheers!

 

[RedlegEd]

When do you have to replace silicone hoses? Do they go bad over time? If they do, what happens to them then?

Hi. As others have stated, you can burst them by using too much pressure, but I've found that they can grow mold inside if you don't thoroughly clean and dry them after each use. Once you get mold, it's almost impossible to get it out, even with bleach and scrubbing with a brush. It happened to me, that's why I always make sure to hang them vertically to drip dry after cleaning and rinsing. Hope this helps. Ed

 

[augiedoggy]

I actually just ordered some new tubing myself (inspired by the other thread here claiming off flavors from new tubing) to replace my 4+ year old tubing.. some of which is badly discolored and stained from being left in starsan... it stilll works fine and I may continue to use it.. I recently cleaned it with a brush manually because ive only used cip with it until then.. All ive ever used is the bargain fittings stuff which is only $2 a foot so its not a huge investment every 4-5 years.

 

[BlkWater_brewer]

The only thing that really "goes bad" is at the fitting end where its clamped. I use the high flow fittings and they can put some extra strain on the ends. It can weaken and split, but otherwise it is hard to kill.

 

[kh54s10]

It is time to replace the hoses when 1) you burst them as previously described. 2) you look at them and throw up!

 

[Master]

Only one I had to throw out was the short "whip" I kept with a QD to Triclover adaptor that I used for filling my fermenter.

I saw some black in there after a couple months sitting, not even going to mess with that chance on the cold side, so I took the fittings off, chucked the hose, and the fittings have been boiled and are now sitting in a starsan bath until they are needed again.