Selecting Sanitary Hose
Morgan Byres | Jan 20, 2025
Transfer hoses are an essential component of any sanitary process system and selecting the correct one can be confusing and overwhelming. There are so many choices out there and navigating them can be difficult. Like most questions about production processes, the answer is never universal. Fortunately, we’ve broken the various options down into several key elements.
When it comes to choosing hoses there are a couple key things to consider:
Is product contamination a concern?
What are you transferring?
What temperatures will you be working with?
Will the hose be at risk of being crushed?
Will the hose be used for suction or be under a high vacuum?
These five factors should guide the hose selection process - from crimping vs. band clamps, to material selection, hose style, and more.
Band clamping can be done on site without specialized tools. Band clamping involves using a metal band to secure the hose end externally. It is a low-cost option that gives you the ability to remove or add hose ends on site. However, band clamped hose brings with it a higher risk of infection and has a higher rate of failure than professional crimping. Band clamped hoses are only held in two areas, instead of along the entire length of the Tri-Clamp insert. This produces a space which is hard to clean during CIP, storing bacteria and grime ready to attack your next batch. Further, since the hose is only held in one or two places there’s less friction holding the end on, resulting in a higher risk that pressure within the hose will knock the end off.
Professionally crimped hoses require a specialized machine. When a hose is professionally crimped, the entire length of the external collar is crimped against the outside of the hose, sandwiching the hose between the collar and the Tri-Clamp insert. This creates a sturdy end that will not be pushed off by pressure. The smooth internal bore leaves no space for bacteria to grow, and the entire hose can be fully sanitized during CIP. While this option is more expensive, it is more sanitary, more durable, and arrives ready to use.
Your choice of material is going to depend on the temperatures you’re working with and the product you are pumping. Butyl, chlorobutyl, UHMWPE, and EPDM are all food grade and appropriate for breweries and other craft food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries. EPDM hose can handle the majority of transfer applications, including high temperature transfers. EPDM can withstand up to 300°f, while butyl and chlorobutyl can “only” handle up to 220°f. EPDM is resistant to most chemicals and is abrasion resistant, but it is not suitable for oily substances. In these cases, chlorobutyl or UHMWPE are preferable. UHMWPE is also static dissipating, chemical resistant, and abrasion resistant, making it suitable for explosive atmospheres and the transfer of chemicals, and high proof alcohol.
Transfer hoses usually have an internal reinforcement to protect the integrity of the hose. The reinforcement and wall thickness determine how much vacuum the hose can resist and how resistant it is to being crushed and other damage. Most sanitary hoses will have the standard reinforcement: spiral plied synthetic fabric, which makes a hose crush resistant. A hose becomes crush-proof with the addition of the monofilament helix, which allows it to return to shape. Dual steel helix wires maintain the shape of the hose to the greatest degree, and is the most difficult to damage or crush, however if you do crush this hose, it will not return to shape. The standard spiral plied synthetic fabric has the lowest vacuum resistance, and the steel helix has the highest.
At CPE we’ve worked with a large selection of hose. We offer ContiTech hose because they are durable, versatile, reliable, and arguably the best on the market. ContiTech Vintners hose is a versatile option that is used across industries, including brewing and food production.
ContiTech Vintner Reserve was the first crushproof hose in the winery & brewery industry. The polyester monofilament helix provides a lightweight, ‘crush resistant’ alternative to traditional soft-wall or steel wire reinforcement. The EPDM lining is designed to withstand a variety of chemicals and substances. It is crushproof and able to keep its shape even with harsh vacuum, but also flexible and easy to work with.
Vintner Lite is the lightweight redesign of the popular Vintner Reserve hose. It maintains the durability and heat resistance of its predecessor, while being easy to maneuver. It can handle up to 150 psi and weighs approximately 0.2lbs less per foot than the Vintner Reserve. The EPDM lining provides a broad range of chemical resistance making it a versatile option.
Brewline hose is designed for the brewing industry. It is light and flexible, while still being durable, and kink, crush, and light vacuum resistant. If you’re not worried about full vacuums or crushing, it is a fantastic hose that will serve you a long time. It is built to withstand the wear and tear of brewery life.
The VersaChem (Distillers) Hose by Contitech is designed for the transfer of chemicals, high proof ethanol, high viscosity substances, and powdery materials. The UHMWPE lining is chemical and abrasion-resistant, easy to clean, and static dissipating. It is reinforced with dual steel helix wires and spiral-plied synthetic fabric. VersaChem is perfect for distilling, herbal extractions, high-proof alcohol, ethanol, and chemical transfer.