PVC contacting finished beer

[bubrewer]

I know that regular PVC is a bad thing to have in contact with hot wort, but what about cold, finished beer? Is alcohol a solvent for PVC?

I think when I get home tonight I'll dunk a piece of PVC in a glass of Budmiloors and leave it for an hour or so to see if I can detect any difference. I guess if the fitting melts I'll know!

[Danno]

It's not so much the PVC that you don't want to contact, it's the plasticisers in it. Plasticisers take normal PVC from the hardness similar to sprinkler pipe to pliable like shower curtains.

You don't mention what it is you have in contact with the beer. There are CPVC fittings at most hardwae store that may replace what you're using without a problem. Personally, I wouldn't sweat it. You probably saw a lifetime's worth of PVC contact when you were a kid and the little that you get from the beer will be meaningless.

Ever drink from a non-rubber hose?

[bubrewer]

The item in question was a Randalizer type of device that we used at a festival last weekend. The only fittings I could find on short notice that would go from the 1" fitting on the filter housing to a 3/16" barb were made from PVC.

I didn't notice bad flavors or softening of the material when we tested it, and it survived the festival, so I guess it works at least in the short term.

[Danno]

HD & Loews ahould also have nylon fittings of this type over by there brass fittings. Nylon would be translucnet. PVC is opaque.

[Steve]

HD & Loews ahould also have nylon fittings of this type over by there brass fittings. Nylon would be translucnet. PVC is opaque.

He's right, HD does have nylon barb fittings as well as fittings which make the use of the flexible tubing, also merchandised in that area of their stores, an attractive option. Personaly I would aim for metal fittings, brass or S/S. PVC on the other hand doesn't handle heat well so avoid that when moveing "hot" liquids. One note on the flexible tubing try to aim for the tubing with the nylon reinforcing thread built into it. It will handle higher temps much better without ballooning. Trust me on that one.
Steve