Food Grade PVC Tubing

Food-grade PVC tubing is the clear, flexible tube home brewers use to syphon and transfer beer, wine and cider and to link parts of a setup together. We sell it by the metre in two sizes: 10mm inside × 13mm outside, and 12mm × 15mm (1/2"). Measure the outside diameter of the tap, cane or spigot your tube will fit over, and choose the size whose inside diameter gives a snug push fit.

Buying guide & FAQs

Which size PVC tube do I need?

  • PVC Tube 10mm x 13mm has a 10mm bore and a 13mm outside diameter. It is a good general size for transferring and racking between vessels.
  • PVC Tube 12mm x 15mm (1/2" dia) has a 12mm bore and a 15mm outside diameter. It suits wider fittings and dispense connections where you want a faster flow.

Both are sold per 1-metre length, so order the number of metres you need and cut the tube to length with a sharp blade. A square cut gives the best seal. For a tight fit on a barb, dip the tube end in hot water for a few seconds to soften it before pushing it on.

Looking after your tubing

Rinse tubing straight after use, clean it with VWP or ChemClean and rinse again. Sanitise with ChemSan just before your next transfer. Replace tubing once it becomes cloudy, stained or stiff, because scratches can harbour bacteria.

Other tubing and transfer kit

For syphoning, see the Auto Syphon and 5/16" syphon tubing. For keg and tap setups, see our beer line and John Guest push-fit fittings.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is PVC tubing safe for beer and wine?

Yes, when it is food grade. Both tubes here are food-grade PVC intended for carrying drinks between parts of your home brew setup.

Is the tubing sold by the metre?

Yes. Each unit is a 1-metre length. Order the number of metres you need and cut the tube to length.

What do 10mm x 13mm and 12mm x 15mm mean?

The first number is the inside diameter (bore) and the second is the outside diameter. Match the inside diameter to the fitting the tube needs to push onto.

Can I use PVC tubing as beer line for a keg?

For pressurised keg dispense, most brewers use dedicated MDPE beer line with push-fit fittings. Our beer line collection has 3/16", 5/16" and 3/8" sizes. PVC tubing is best for gravity transfers and general connections. See our guide to cleaning beer lines.

How often should I replace syphon tubing?

Replace it when it turns cloudy, stained or stiff, or after any infected batch. Fresh tubing is cheap insurance against contamination.