8 replies to this topic

[LeftyMPfrmDE]

My LHBS is having a moving sale. Decided to load up on hardware. Decided to swap out the keg lines; they were about two years old and had a cleaning schedule for every 2 or 3 weeks.

These new lines, after installing them and had a BLC cleaning cycle. I pulled a pint, and to my dismay, had a very distinct plastic flavor. After dumping the first pint, pulled another, and no issues with an off flavor.

Day or so later, go to poor a beer, and the off flavor returns.

Looked around online. Some folks issues with lines they pick up from hardware stores to save a few bucks. The lines that i picked up are heavy wall, 3/16" "beverage" tubing. No sort of marking on the spine of the tubing for into, manufacturer, o.d.,i.d, etc.

Is there a break in period with new lines? Never had this happen before swapping out keg lines. Where this flavor will go away on its own? Or have i been had by the shop? If it requires me to waste a pint or so of beer to "clear the line", ill buy bevflex lines tomorrow.

Now, the "new" owners are about in year two of brewing, and are the only local shop around. Good intentions, but they are lacking knowledge in basics of brewing; they once shared a videos via social media racking a pale ale to secondary with a funnel with a screen filter, and bottled a kolsh in wine bottles.

Really not Trying not to over react with this. Just looking for some outside prospective; but they are on my chit list as of late.

Edited by LeftyMPfrmDE, 29 April 2019 - 02:28 AM.

[HVB]

I have never got that kind of taste and I have used some cheap hose like this stuff from amazon - hard to pass up at $12/100 feet.  I never even clean the lines after installing, I just rung beer through them.  I can not say it is the line for sure but I would not want that plastic taste and would replace if it does not go away.

[Bklmt2000]

I have never got that kind of taste and I have used some cheap hose like this stuff from amazon - hard to pass up at $12/100 feet.  I never even clean the lines after installing, I just rung beer through them.  I can not say it is the line for sure but I would not want that plastic taste and would replace if it does not go away.

 

Same; I used lines bought from my LHBS and never had a plastic taste/smell from them. 

 

As drez said, if the taste/smell doesn't go away, consider ditching the new lines and replace.  Sucks to replace what you just replaced, tho.

 

Lefty, are the new lines the same brand/etc as the old lines, and if so, do you recall if the old lines had the same plastic-y issues?

[LeftyMPfrmDE]

Same; I used lines bought from my LHBS and never had a plastic taste/smell from them.

As drez said, if the taste/smell doesn't go away, consider ditching the new lines and replace. Sucks to replace what you just replaced, tho.

Lefty, are the new lines the same brand/etc as the old lines, and if so, do you recall if the old lines had the same plastic-y issues?

The lines replaced were of the bevflex line. Never had an issue with the plastic off flavor.

Looking into it, there is no marking on the new lines. I'm coming up with that the lbhs just bought whatever lines from amazon.

[LeftyMPfrmDE]

This is enough for me to rip out the lines to replace. It sucks, hate spending money twice to fix the same problem twice.

[LeftyMPfrmDE]

I have never got that kind of taste and I have used some cheap hose like this stuff from amazon - hard to pass up at $12/100 feet. I never even clean the lines after installing, I just rung beer through them. I can not say it is the line for sure but I would not want that plastic taste and would replace if it does not go away.

Ordered this stuff the other day. Took a little bit of tinkering to install, but got the new lines in, after a quick sanitizer rinse, ran beer thru. Waited a couple hours, pulled some more beer- no plastic flavors.

I owe you a round, H! Thanks for the recommendation!

[HVB]

Ordered this stuff the other day. Took a little bit of tinkering to install, but got the new lines in, after a quick sanitizer rinse, ran beer thru. Waited a couple hours, pulled some more beer- no plastic flavors.

I owe you a round, H! Thanks for the recommendation!

Awesome!  Glad it worked for you.  

[Big Nake]

That's weird and I would not be happy.  Sorry that happened to you, Lefty.  I have the old-school, soft plastic 3/16" ID lines that would stain eventually, etc. but two years ago (3 now?) I installed the very stiff Bev-Flex stuff.  I had to loop it in a ring and zip-tie it together because it's so hard to work with and because my small draft fridges are VERY crowded.  But... I like this stuff very much.  Never had a plastic flavor from any of the stuff I have used.  Glad you resolved it.  

[LeftyMPfrmDE]

That's weird and I would not be happy.  Sorry that happened to you, Lefty.  I have the old-school, soft plastic 3/16" ID lines that would stain eventually, etc. but two years ago (3 now?) I installed the very stiff Bev-Flex stuff.  I had to loop it in a ring and zip-tie it together because it's so hard to work with and because my small draft fridges are VERY crowded.  But... I like this stuff very much.  Never had a plastic flavor from any of the stuff I have used.  Glad you resolved it.  

I was pretty mad after finding out about the bad lines; but it all worked out in the end. i really don't stress about the staining in vinyl lines, beer stone is my big worry. As a courtesy, called up the shop and let them know about my issue, in collected manner.  owner was really cool about it, promised to throw out his remaining stock, and offered a store credit for what i bought the lines for. so the next time i need yeast or somethin', it's covered. I tried the semi-rigid bevflex lines, and well, it was a complete PITA to work with; with the space available in the keezer, couldn't make it work, so turned, made it into gas lines.