Which Silicone Tubing Do I Need for Brewing?
The right food grade hose for brewing mostly comes down to two things: the diameter your fittings require, and how demanding the application is – specifically whether you need something that holds its shape under heat and longer runs, or something lighter for short transfers.
The thick-walled 12mm ID x 21mm OD tubing is the workhorse of the range. It’s the one that won’t collapse or go floppy when it gets hot, handles longer unsupported runs without kinking, and pushes comfortably onto 1/2″ hose barbs without needing a jubilee clip to stay in place. If you’re using it for wort transfers, moving liquid between vessels at temperature, or anywhere the tube needs to hold a shape without sagging, this is the one to reach for. The thinner-walled 12mm ID x 15mm OD version covers shorter runs and gravity transfers where wall thickness is less critical — it’s also the better fit as a re-circulation tube in the Grainfather G30, where the thinner wall makes routing around the grain basket easier.
For larger diameter connections (3/4″ barb fittings or Brewtools 19mm barbs), the 16mm ID x 25mm OD tubing covers those without the need for adapters. At the smaller end, the 6.5mm ID tube is useful for tighter connections and is FDA-approved alongside UK and German Water Council certification, which matters if you’re running a setup where compliance is part of the picture.
All silicone food grade hose at The Malt Miller is platinum-cured and translucent, with smooth internal surfaces that don’t support bacterial growth and won’t crack or perish under cleaning chemicals across the full temperature range (-70°C up to 170°C). That temperature tolerance matters most on the hot side – wort out of the kettle, transfers from all-in-one systems – where cheaper flexible piping tends to show its limits fairly quickly. Where lengths need joining, the stainless steel joiner with 13mm barbs keeps connections hygienic and secure without introducing non-food-safe materials into the run.
FAQs: Silicone Tubing & Brewery Hose
What is the difference between platinum-cured and standard silicone tubing?
Platinum-cured silicone tubing uses a platinum catalyst in the curing process rather than peroxide, which produces a purer, more inert end product with better chemical resistance and no residual odour or taste. For brewing applications this matters – standard silicone tubing can impart a faint smell or flavour, particularly when new or when used with hot liquids, while platinum-cured food grade hose stays odourless and tasteless throughout its lifespan. It also has superior temperature tolerance and a longer service life under repeated exposure to cleaning chemicals and sanitisers. For anything touching your wort or finished beer, platinum-cured is the right choice.
That’s why all of the silicone tubing at The Malt Miller is platinum-cured as standard – it’s the only version worth stocking for brewing use.
What temperature can a silicone brewing hose handle?
Our silicone tubing handles temperatures from -70°C up to 170°C, which covers every stage of the brewing process — including direct contact with near-boiling wort during transfers from the kettle or all-in-one system. That range is one of the main reasons silicone is the preferred flexible piping for brewing over PVC or standard rubber hose, both of which can soften, leach or degrade under heat. It’s also dishwasher-safe and takes high-temperature sanitising without complaint.
Can a silicone food grade hose be used for siphoning?
Yes, but wall thickness matters more than most people expect. Thin-walled silicone tube will collapse under suction on longer runs, which is why the thick-walled 12mm ID x 21mm OD version is the right choice for siphoning between vessels. It holds its shape under negative pressure without kinking, making it reliable for racking beer, wine or cider. The thinner-walled 12mm ID x 15mm OD option is better suited to gravity transfers and short runs where suction isn’t a factor – it shouldn’t be used as primary siphon tubing.
Will silicone tubing fit my existing hose barbs and fittings?
It depends on the size, but The Malt Miller’s range covers the most common configurations in homebrew setups. The simplest way to confirm fit before ordering is to match the internal diameter of the tube to the outer diameter of the barb — if those two figures align, it’ll seat properly.
The 12mm ID x 21mm OD tubing is the most widely used size; it fits all 1/2″ hose barbs, cam locks and tri-clamp fittings, and pushes on securely without needing a jubilee clip. The 16mm ID x 25mm OD tube is sized for 3/4″ barb fittings and Brewtools 19mm barbs, and the 6.5mm ID tube covers tighter connections at the smaller end. Where lengths need joining, the stainless straight joiner and T-fittings with 13mm barbs keep everything food-safe and secure.
Where can I buy food grade silicone tubing for homebrewing in the UK?
You can buy platinum-cured food grade silicone tubing at The Malt Miller, sold by the metre in the sizes most useful for homebrew and small brewery setups. It’s UK-made, and stocked alongside the hose barbs, stainless fittings, stepless clamps and tube brushes that go with it – so you can put a complete sanitary liquid transfer setup together in one order rather than sourcing components separately.
