Accuflex Bev Seal lines & adapters

DrPaulsen · Post by **DrPaulsen** » Mon Mar 04, 2013 11:51 am

If any of you keggers out there have ever tried using Accuflex Bev-Seal tubing (i.e. glass-lined dispensing lines), you know they are a pain in the ass to mate to barbed adapters. Despite all the upsides (never need to replace, polished/non-porous interior, etc), it's damn near impossible to slide them over a barbed adapter.

Over the weekend, I tried a different approach, using John Guest push-on adapters (imagine mating to the exterior of the tube instead of the interior). What a difference the right tools make! Instead of spending hours fighting with boiling water, heat guns, pliers, etc, trying to force a glass-lined tube onto a hose barb, it took all of 30 seconds to assemble a line. For reference, I've included links to the site where I purchased the John Guest adapters.

When compared to my old, stained, vinyl beer lines, the beer poured from the Bev-Seal tubing tasted noticeably cleaner. I obviously can't speak to the longevity of the tubing just yet, but I've seen enough good reviews that I'm going to change all my lines over to this.

http://www.farmhousebrewingsupply.com/S ... roduct=300

http://www.freshwatersystems.com/p-2502 ... -bspp.aspx

http://www.freshwatersystems.com/p-2574 ... flare.aspx

Post by **JimPotts** » Mon Mar 04, 2013 12:36 pm

Do they mate like a pex fitting?
And if they do, does that mean the junction between the inner and outer tubing is exposed to the liquid? And if so, is the tubing rated for that?
-Jim

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DrPaulsen · Post by **DrPaulsen** » Mon Mar 04, 2013 1:05 pm

I think it's similar to a PEX fitting. There is a black o-ring that you can see just beyond the circle of teeth that grip the exterior of the tubing. There will be a small amount of exterior tubing material exposed to the liquid between the o-ring and the interior body of the connector against which the tubing is seated. I can't find any vendor data to confirm this, but I would assume the tubing exterior is NSF-certified, since the entire product line seems to be NSF certified for food (-51) & drinking water (-61). Plus, a push-on adapter is clearly what the tubing was originally intended to mate with. It's pretty obvious when you try shoving it onto a barbed adapter that the manufacturer never intended that type of mate.
http://kuriyama.thomasnet.com/asset/Accuflex-Beverage-Catalog-6-06-FINAL.pdf

On Mon, Mar 4, 2013 at 12:38 PM, JimPotts <brew-equipment@crbeernuts.org (brew-equipment@crbeernuts.org)> wrote:

Do they mate like a pex fitting?
And if they do, does that mean the junction between the inner and outer tubing is exposed to the liquid? And if so, is the tubing rated for that?
-Jim

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DrPaulsen · Post by **DrPaulsen** » Mon Mar 04, 2013 1:23 pm

Micromatic also sells the John Guest push-in fittings, so it would seem safe to assume that they are rated for use with beer.

http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-beer/fittings-cid-70.html

On Mon, Mar 4, 2013 at 1:15 PM, DrPaulsen <brew-equipment@crbeernuts.org (brew-equipment@crbeernuts.org)> wrote:

I think it's similar to a PEX fitting. There is a black o-ring that you can see just beyond the circle of teeth that grip the exterior of the tubing. There will be a small amount of exterior tubing material exposed to the liquid between the o-ring and the interior body of the connector against which the tubing is seated. I can't find any vendor data to confirm this, but I would assume the tubing exterior is NSF-certified, since the entire product line seems to be NSF certified for food (-51) & drinking water (-61). Plus, a push-on adapter is clearly what the tubing was originally intended to mate with. It's pretty obvious when you try shoving it onto a barbed adapter that the manufacturer never intended that type of mate.
http://kuriyama.thomasnet.com/asset/Accuflex-Beverage-Catalog-6-06-FINAL.pdf

On Mon, Mar 4, 2013 at 12:38 PM, JimPotts brew-equipment@crbeernuts.org (brew-equipment@crbeernuts.org))> wrote:
: Do they mate like a pex fitting?
And if they do, does that mean the junction between the inner and outer tubing is exposed to the liquid? And if so, is the tubing rated for that?
-Jim

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DrPaulsen · Post by **DrPaulsen** » Tue Jul 23, 2013 9:51 am

To those of you at the judging last night asking about using glass-lined tubing & adapters, please see the first post in this thread. Having used mine for several months now, I can't imagine switching back to vinyl lines and wholeheartedly recommend them to everyone that kegs. Every time I have switched out a vinyl line for a glass line the beer has immediately tasted better. Plus, you'll never have to replace the lines.

Steven P · Post by **Steven P** » Tue Jul 23, 2013 11:24 am

Question on this.

How do you go from Bevlex Ultra line to the nipple on the faucet shank? Do you have to switch to a hose barb for the terminal connection?

http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-bee ... d-373.html

DrPaulsen · Post by **DrPaulsen** » Tue Jul 23, 2013 11:33 am

http://www.freshwatersystems.com/p-2502 ... -bspp.aspx

This push-on adapter will thread directly onto the shank.

Matt F · Post by **Matt F** » Tue Jul 23, 2013 12:05 pm

You get significant discounts by buying a larger number of fittings. I would be interested in 3 of each needed for connections. If more folks want to, post here if you want some and we can save each other some $.

carrisr · Post by **carrisr** » Tue Jul 23, 2013 12:09 pm

I'd go in on this. I'd need 3 of each as well and enough line for 3 taps.

On 07/23/2013 01:05 PM, Matt F wrote:

You get significant discounts by buying a larger number of fittings. I would be interested in 3 of each needed for connections. If more folks want to, post here if you want some and we can save each other some $.

Matt Franklin
Slappy Brewing North

On Tap:
2nd Degree Saison

Fermenting/Aging:
Savannah Stout (coffee and chocolate)
Sour Brown
Russian River Consecration Kit

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kjball · Post by **kjball** » Tue Jul 23, 2013 12:20 pm

I'd get in on some fittings, I need to make sure I have threaded tailpieces. for some reason I think I may have at least 1 welded one. I'll let you know how many i would need.

Steven P · Post by **Steven P** » Tue Jul 23, 2013 12:52 pm

The tubing listed by Farmhouse is 3/16 ID, 5/16 OD.

I'd be in for three of the 5/8 shank connectors and four of the 1/4 inch flare fittings.

And if anyone has a 1 inch hole saw they could spare for a weekend that would be awesome.

Matt F · Post by **Matt F** » Wed Jul 24, 2013 8:01 am

I will total this up after I get back from Boudary Waters in August and see if we can get an order together. Keep adding your name to the list with how many you need. The more the merrier.

kjball · Post by **kjball** » Wed Jul 24, 2013 5:23 pm

I'm out...my shanks have the tailpieces welded to them.

whitedj · Post by **whitedj** » Sat Jul 27, 2013 4:11 pm

I'm in for 4 of each (shank as well as 1/4 MFL).

Matt F · Post by **Matt F** » Tue Aug 06, 2013 9:22 am

Steven P wrote:The tubing listed by Farmhouse is 3/16 ID, 5/16 OD.

I'd be in for three of the 5/8 shank connectors and four of the 1/4 inch flare fittings.

And if anyone has a 1 inch hole saw they could spare for a weekend that would be awesome.

I have a step bit that would probably work for you if you are drilling a fridge. I think Tim has it.