The Right Diameter
The diameter of a food grade hose hinges on the stainless steel line and the tank or filling machine it needs to hook up to. The couplings’ diameter used for this connection dictates the hose diameter, and they should match. Sometimes, though, the stainless steel line and filling machine have different diameters. In such cases, an adapter gets installed on the food grade hose, sitting between the line and the machine. You can weld or screw this adapter in place. A screwed adapter is better as it’s more hygienic; a welded seam on an adapter offers a breeding ground for bacteria.
Sanitary Coupling or Clamp
The connection between the food grade hose and the stainless steel line, filling machine, or tank can be a sanitary coupling (also known as a dairy coupling) or a clamp. A clamp has the plus of being more flexible. Users can screw it on and off the hose by hand. A sanitary coupling, on the other hand, requires a specialist to push it onto the hose.
The upside of a sanitary coupling is its enhanced hygiene. Bacteria don’t accumulate easily on it, unlike on a clamp where screws provide hiding spots. Also, a sanitary coupling is safer since it’s professionally fitted and bonds firmly to the hose. A clamp, tightened by hand, can distort the hose and might come loose if not secured right.
Clearly, a clamp is cheaper and often used on hoses ferrying unprocessed, low-pressure items like raw milk from the farm’s milk tank to the tanker, then to the factory’s storage tank. In the food processing stage at the factory, sanitary couplings are favored for hygiene and safety.
Coupling to DIN Standard
Elpress typically uses DIN 11851 couplings as the norm. These are common couplings that adhere to the DIN standard. When buying a food grade hose, it’s crucial to confirm if the couplings of the tank or filling machine it’ll connect to also meet this standard. This ensures a snug fit. Got a different coupling on your tank or machine? We can swap it for a DIN 11851 coupling or supply a food grade hose with a matching alternative.