[FryGuy1424]

All -

I am new here, but I appreciate all the information and content so far. It has helped me a lot with my brewing. I built a keezer not long ago, but both of my home-brews have come out with a plastic taste when coming from the tap. Is this from the PVC lines I am using for gas and beer line? My last 2 brews are in 5 gal corny kegs that were cleaned with OXY and sanitized with Star-San. Both brews were fermented (primary/secondary) in 5 gal buckets. One was an Irish Red Ale and another was a West Coast IPA.

The same batch was bottled and tastes fine. Any help you can provide is appreciated. Thanks y'all and I look forward to engaging with you in the future. Cheers!

[dmtaylor]

Welcome to the forum!

Your problem sounds just like chlorophenol, which is an off-flavor that comes from the chlorine in municipal tap water.  Are you using city water?  If this is the case, to prevent this in future, you need to add 1/2 Campden tablet (also known as "sulfite" or "metabisulfite"), crushed, for every 5 gallons of water, before the water touches any malt.  Chlorophenol is a common off-flavor in beers that used chlorinated water.

[FryGuy1424]

I used bottled spring water for the Westie and distilled for the red ale. The only difference between these two batches and my first one was secondary fermentation. Maybe that is the issue that is leading to infection? I have cleaned and sanitized everything thoroughly before moving to fermentation and secondary.

(This should probably be in a different board at this point)

[denny]

I used bottled spring water for the Westie and distilled for the red ale. The only difference between these two batches and my first one was secondary fermentation. Maybe that is the issue that is leading to infection? I have cleaned and sanitized everything thoroughly before moving to fermentation and secondary.

(This should probably be in a different board at this point)

I don't see a need  for secondary for any of those beers, FWIW

[Kevin]

Skip the secondary step. Transfer directly from fermenter to keg. I would swap out that PVC tubing for proper beer line.

[narcout]

I would swap out that PVC tubing for proper beer line.

Definitely do that. 

This is the best beer line that I have tried: https://www.morebeer.com/products/eva-barrier-double-wall-tubing-1364-5-mm-id-516-8-od-placeholder.html

[FryGuy1424]

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing as far as secondary is concerned. I am still new and I was following the directions, but with more research I am learning it isn't necessary for all beers.

I will change out the beer lines as well. Thank you for the info and recommendations. I look forward to learning from y'all on the boards!

[FryGuy1424]

Also, is the PVC line ok for the CO2 line?

[goose]

I would swap out that PVC tubing for proper beer line.

Definitely do that. 

This is the best beer line that I have tried: https://www.morebeer.com/products/eva-barrier-double-wall-tubing-1364-5-mm-id-516-8-od-placeholder.html

+1

[narcout]

Also, is the PVC line ok for the CO2 line?

Is it rated for presssure?

I don't actually know whether off flavors can be imparted by CO2 line.  Personally, I'd replace it.

[Semper Sitientem]

Also, is the PVC line ok for the CO2 line?

There are many different types of PVC so you’d have to research which is pressure rated, which is not and which is food safe. Other than C-PVC, you’re probably not going to find what you want in a big box store. Most likely you’d have to go to a plumbing supply store. But, like others have stated, you should switch out to beer line - use the right tools for the right job.

[FryGuy1424]

Got it. Swap all PVC lines (including CO2) for beer line. Thanks everyone!

[FryGuy1424]

I would swap out that PVC tubing for proper beer line.

Definitely do that. 

This is the best beer line that I have tried: https://www.morebeer.com/products/eva-barrier-double-wall-tubing-1364-5-mm-id-516-8-od-placeholder.html

Do I need the duotight push-in fittings or can I slip this over the nip and use standard screw down clamps?

[Richard]

I would swap out that PVC tubing for proper beer line.

Definitely do that. 

This is the best beer line that I have tried: https://www.morebeer.com/products/eva-barrier-double-wall-tubing-1364-5-mm-id-516-8-od-placeholder.html

Do I need the duotight push-in fittings or can I slip this over the nip and use standard screw down clamps?

It depends on what ID you have and what barb you have. The tubing is not very flexible or stretchy the way vinyl and PVC are, so it won't go over a barb easily, and the hose clamp won't squish it as well. I would strongly recommend using the Duotight fittings. They are easy to use and I have never had a leak with one. You can even rotate the tubing in the fitting if you need to do that to orient a ball-lock fitting properly, and you can do it under pressure without making a leak. You can't that with a hose clamp.

[narcout]

Do I need the duotight push-in fittings or can I slip this over the nip and use standard screw down clamps?

The 5 mm ID tubing will work with 1/4 barbs.  I found it to be a tight enough fit that I didn't even bother with clamps.