I am upgrading my keezer with John Guest connectors onto stainless steel male flares all round. I am worried about leaks and over tightening and would appreciate any advice or guidance from the resident experts on the forum. Also, should you use teflon tape when connecting to SS flares? Many thanks, Jim.
https://www.johnguest.com/product/inch-size-threaded-fittings/female-adaptor-ffl-thread/ I am using PM4508F4S to attach to 1/4" flares with tubing of 5/16" diameter.
JG fittings are push to fit. I recommend against JG fittings unless you are certain the tubing will mate correctly with the fitting. The OD of the tube must exactly match the fitting. Also, JG fittings are a bit difficult to disconnect, this is by design. For the threaded side, yes if you over tighten that connection you will crack the fitting. JG fittings are plastic and not indestructible. I recommend you consider using Colder products APC Series or PLC Series. Choose one or the other, they are not compatible. Colder fittings use a hose barb or threads for the tubing , and the connection is fitting to fitting. They are very secure and allow you to use any tubing or threaded end. These fittings are also available with auto shutoff on either or both ends. If you disconnect the fitting the flow stops. also plastic and the threaded end is particular prone to snapping if you mis-handle. Cheers
Looking at the specs here... https://www.johnguest.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Fluid-Products-2015-WEB2.pdf product PI4512F4S It looks like that's a 45 degree flare. I think the standard "homebrew store" flares, like the ubiquitous swivel nuts, shank nipples, and regulator connections, are 37 degree JIC. If so, I don't know how well they would mate. That said, these types of fittings normally seal by compressing the faces together, and not by thread interference, so teflon tape wouldn't normally be used. @billandsuz Can you add/correct anything about 37 vs 45 degree flares?
I personally avoid flared fittings, they are used in the soft drink world (80+ psi) but beer not so much. And ordinary hose barb or universal threaded fittings ain't broke so there is not much need (and I am lazy and don't feel any need to stock more stuff). The swivel nut flared fittings are quite small. Smaller than "standard" but I don't know the dimensions, just the small size fits the small size and the regular size fits the regular size, with the flare insert different for each. These are almost certainly also for soda, given that Corney kegs are of course for soda. This is my guess. Cheers
I will add that stainless steel tubing is a giant PITA. Though as a homebrewer I appreciate that we have solutions to implement that are in need of a problem. Quality tubing is cheap, pretty, easy to replace, and it works fine. Excellent even. S/S is expensive, difficult to work with and not seen by anyone except you. You can't inspect the inside either. Really it's overkill. IMO. And, may as well mention, do not use copper with beer. At all. Don't do it. If you are tempted. Don't. Cheers
