Recently moved from outdoor brewing(gas) to indoor(electric). Hot side, and I guess edge of cold side (Brutus Pro, I cannot say enough good things about this chiller Brutus Pro Counterflow Wort Chiller | Exchilerator ) are all currently 1/2 in NPT with barbs for connecting 1/2 in silicone hosing. I have a mix of 5/8 inch OD barbs(hassle to get the tubing off), and 1/2 inch OD barbs(sometimes leak/come off easily)
It's a 3 vessel system, 10-14Gallons depending on strength, with 2 pumps, the chiller etc.. Outside a little leaking was no issue except in the dead of winter. Inside it sucks. I've had a few times where hoses come loose dumping quarts of liquid on the floor.. Mostly this is my fault, and I catch it quick enough, but it is usually at the cost of minor burns on my hands due to boiling wort.
So, enough of the background. I'm looking at moving to connectors. It seems like camlock or QD seem to be the way to go. I suppose I could go tri-clamp as I already have some 1.5 and 2" tri-clamp stuff, and want to make sure I can interface with that, but that seems excessive on a homebrew level on the hot side(mostly). However, before I drop $4-500 on new connectors(6 or so hoses, sink connectors, replace the barbs on all hot side valves etc..) I figured I would see what thoughts here were. The cost seems roughly the same, so I'm looking at ease of use, longevity of equipment, ease of proper cleaning etc...
On a related note, Any vendor suggestions? I would prefer to buy from an HBT sponsor if possible
Have thoughts? Chime in..(Though not to say "Have you tried BIAB".. I have, it's great, but not how I like to brew..)
Thanks
It's a 3 vessel system, 10-14Gallons depending on strength, with 2 pumps, the chiller etc.. Outside a little leaking was no issue except in the dead of winter. Inside it sucks. I've had a few times where hoses come loose dumping quarts of liquid on the floor.. Mostly this is my fault, and I catch it quick enough, but it is usually at the cost of minor burns on my hands due to boiling wort.
So, enough of the background. I'm looking at moving to connectors. It seems like camlock or QD seem to be the way to go. I suppose I could go tri-clamp as I already have some 1.5 and 2" tri-clamp stuff, and want to make sure I can interface with that, but that seems excessive on a homebrew level on the hot side(mostly). However, before I drop $4-500 on new connectors(6 or so hoses, sink connectors, replace the barbs on all hot side valves etc..) I figured I would see what thoughts here were. The cost seems roughly the same, so I'm looking at ease of use, longevity of equipment, ease of proper cleaning etc...
On a related note, Any vendor suggestions? I would prefer to buy from an HBT sponsor if possible
Have thoughts? Chime in..(Though not to say "Have you tried BIAB".. I have, it's great, but not how I like to brew..)
Thanks