cleaning hosepipe

[Kev888]

Hi all,

I'd like to run a 30m hose out to the garage for filling the HLT (and also cleaning and supplying the IC) - and a cautious (hastily aborted) taste at what comes out of my garden hose even after running it for a while means that I'm thinking of investing in a new (clear reinforced) one. This'll cost me about £50 though so I need to be sure it won't soon just become 'orrible like the garden one.

It seems impossible to empty long tubes properly though, they almost always have water (or at least moisture) left sitting in them, and I guess this can become a home for nasties. So as I've got a totton pump I was thinking of circulating starsan through the hose after each use and sealing the ends until the next brew day. I initially thought of bleach (my usual cleaner) but I heard that in time it clouds the pvc so it'd need rinsing out afterwards and so just leave the hose full of water again.

Do you think that my plan will work? If not then suggestions would be appreciated - my only other cunning plan is to carry/wheel enough water for up to 100L brew lengths out there in tanks and pump it up into the HLT which I'm going to conveniently locate just mm below the ceiling..

Thanks,
Kev

[pas8280]

Hi Kev its an interesting topic this, i have used my garden type hose which is connected to the cold water supply in my garage extensivley for filling the HLT and rinsing my FV's i had never given it a thought about infections from the pipework, this has now got me thinking somewhat but how far do you go backward because the pipes that carry the cold water supply could theorhetically carry infection as well !!!
Ignorance on my part was bliss, now i'm going to worry about it

[boingy]

The other problem with a transparent hose is algae. Store it somewhere completely dark or it will take on a green slimy tinge and you'll need something stronger than starsan to get rid of it.

Would it be a big deal if the bleach clouded the PVC?

[Kev888]

Hi Kev its an interesting topic this, i have used my garden type hose which is connected to the cold water supply in my garage extensivley for filling the HLT and rinsing my FV's i had never given it a thought about infections from the pipework, this has now got me thinking somewhat but how far do you go backward because the pipes that carry the cold water supply could theorhetically carry infection as well !!! Ignorance on my part was bliss, now i'm going to worry about it

Oops sorry, didn't mean to raise concerns! Just that the water from my normal hose is 'definately' dubious tasting, and I think i remember someone fairly recently (EccentricDyslexic?) suggesting they'd traced some tainted brews to their hose. I'm no expert, but I suspect the hose could be worse than the normal piping (being intemittently full/connected and having air as well as water in and not being as impervious to oxygen are a few things that spring to mind).

The other problem with a transparent hose is algae. Store it somewhere completely dark or it will take on a green slimy tinge and you'll need something stronger than starsan to get rid of it.
Would it be a big deal if the bleach clouded the PVC?

Thats a good thought, Boingy, thanks! It could easily be stored in a dark place aside from brewing day so that should be fine (now that you thought of it for me, anyway!). I guess it wouldn't really matter if the hose became clouded, but I like the idea of it being clear so that you can see anything dodgy building up. I've also got an old syphon tube that became clouded and when I cut it open the inside surface seemed a bit rough which in my mind isn't as good for getting clean - I don't actually know if that was bleach related or something else entirely though.

Cheers
Kev

[Kev888]

Although having looked at the costs, a normal black cored PVC hose is about £11 for 30m whereas the best I can find the clear stuff is five times the price.

I guess it depends on any unknbown nasties colouring the black PVC, but I'm thinking with a decent cleaning regime perhaps I don't need the clear stuff after all - does anyone know differently?

Cheers
Kev

[awalker]

I use this stuff, only about 5 metres.
But prefer it to normal hose

http://www.marcleleisure.co.uk/store/ec ... l?cPath=53

Econovend Super Hose 1/2" Diameter Hose (30 Metre Coil)
[Order Code:ML01127]
£26.50
Supplied by Marcle Leisure - Econovend Super Hose 1/2" Diameter Hose (30 Metre Coil)

Super Hose 1/2" Diameter Hose (30 Metre Coil)

The Econovend Hose is WRAS (Water Regulation Avisory Scheme) approved. Meaning NO TAINT! NO SMELL! Its smooth inner finish improves flow and will not support microbiological growth. Its reinforced design means that it eliminates the need for Red and Blue hose. It is able to withstand temperatures of up to 70oC!

You can also get it by the metre

http://www.marcleleisure.co.uk/store/ec ... l?cPath=53

[Kev888]

Ah that may be a good compromise - half the price of the clear stuff I'd found and its got the WRAS approval which normal hoses don't (in fact even the clear stuff didn't actually say so, as poly tube often doesn't).

I can't quite tell from the description - is this definately flexible hose rather than plastic pipe? I'd been considering the plastic plumbing pipe as it can be less than £1/m and WRAS too, but being quite stiff I suspect it'd be a real pain to wind up..

Thanks very much,
Kev

[awalker]

Ah that may be a good compromise - half the price of the clear stuff I'd found and its got the WRAS approval which normal hoses don't (in fact even the clear stuff didn't actually say so, as poly tube often doesn't).

I can't quite tell from the description - is this definately flexible hose rather than plastic pipe? I'd been considering the plastic plumbing pipe as it can be less than £1/m and WRAS too, but being quite stiff I suspect it'd be a real pain to wind up..

Thanks very much,
Kev

It is flexible Kev, but flexible like a bigger bore hose, not your standard garden hose.
So easy to coil up and store.

[Kev888]

Thanks! could be the one for me then,

Cheers
Kev