Beer Forum

I have seen that some people use the McMaster-Carr brass quick disconnects and wanted to know what line or series you are using? When looking at the website they have several options I was looking at the High Flow series and wanted to make sure that was the correct one to use.

I use the plastic "CPC" disconnects. The added benefit is that they stay cool to the touch.


Mylo

Started with the CPC, but now I use the stainless ones from Morebeer and they work great.

I have these coupled with these for use with my Shirron.

HTH.

Millhaus wrote:Started with the CPC, but now I use the stainless ones from Morebeer and they work great.

I have been using the stainless QDs as well, for almost a year now. They work flawlessly. I used to have the CPC disconnects on my old system. They worked well and, as Mylo stated, they stay cool to the touch. The problem I had with the CPCs was that I had to replace the o-rings often, other than that they worked great for years. I have never used brass QDs.

BigBadBrad wrote:

Millhaus wrote:The problem I had with the CPCs was that I had to replace the o-rings often, other than that they worked great for years. I have never used brass QDs.

I noticed this, too. Maybe it's because the o-rings are on the male part (cock ring?), instead of on the female part (diaphram?) - as they are in the stainless disconnects. Perhaps it's the exposure to UV that breaks 'em down? The stainless (or brass) ones are also resistant to getting nicked up. I have to be VERY careful not to bang up the CPC ones. Any other cons to the stainless (besides the price)? Have you replaced any o rings on them, at all?

I would eventually like to switch everything out to the stainless ones - especially because the new brutus/baltobrewer design of my stand will eliminate the need for me to switch any hose during the process.


Mylo

Mylo,

I haven't had to replace the o-rings in the stainless QDs at all. 22 batches since last June, and they are still going strong. The only downside is the cost, but I figure they will last forever. I do need to pull one of the o-rings out and figure out what size it is so I can order some extras from McMaster just in case. I bought a bunch of extra o-rings for the CPC QDs from McMaster if you want them.

Brad

I use the McMaster Carr brass disconnects and I like them alot. You need to break them down and clean them really good prior to first use because they arrive packed with grease and the barb end and QD end screw together but are sealed with some kind of resin locktite shit. None of which is food grade I bet.

If I had to do it over again, I would hard plumb everything and use ball valves to send the flow where it needs to go instead of decoupling and recoupling hoses. In fact, if anyone wants to buy a bunch of QDs and silicone hose, maybe I'll hard plumb it right now.