Fittings and hose barbs for homebrewing – NPT, BSP, flare and quick disconnects

Here you will find hose barbs, adapters, quick disconnects, ball valves, tees and hose clamps for connecting hoses, kettles, fermenters and cooling equipment. Most parts are stainless steel, and the thread type is in the product name: NPT, BSP, FPT or FFL. Tri-Clamp and John Guest push-fit have their own categories.

How to find the right fitting

Thread type: Most US-made brewing equipment has NPT threads. European manufacturers, including Speidel, use BSP. FPT means female NPT. The two standards do not fit together, so check the threads on your equipment before ordering.
Flare (FFL/MFL): For beer and gas lines there are 1/4" flare fittings, such as the 5/16" (8 mm) hose barb with 1/4" FFL nut. The 1/4" nylon flare washer seals between the parts.
Hose barb and hose: Choose the barb by the hose's inner diameter and secure it with a hose clamp. Clamps come in 8–12, 10–16 and 14–27 mm, and single-ear clamps of 10.5 and 12.3 mm are closed with pincers.
Quick disconnects: Standard male and female couplings come with a 12 mm barb and 1/2" NPT or BSP, such as the female 1/2" NPT quick disconnect. The shut-off coupling has a built-in valve that closes when the coupling is separated.
Water: Adapters from 1/2" BSP, 1/2" FPT and 3/8" barb to Gardena connect cooling and cleaning water to a garden hose.

Sealing, leak testing and cleaning

PTFE thread tape of 12 mm x 13.2 m seals threaded fittings, and CRC Leak Finder is a water-based leak detector for gas and liquid connections. The category also has a hose cutter, the John Guest Tube-Cutter and rotating CIP spray balls with 1/2" FPT or 1/2" BSP.

Frequently asked questions about fittings and hose barbs

What is the difference between NPT and BSP?

NPT is the American thread standard, and BSP is the British standard used by most European manufacturers. The threads have different profiles and do not fit together, even at the same nominal size.

What is a shut-off coupling?

It is a quick disconnect with an integrated valve that closes when the male and female halves are separated. It is useful on glycol chiller lines, where you can disconnect without coolant spilling. The internal flow diameter is 1/4" (6.35 mm).

How do I seal threaded fittings?

Wrap PTFE thread tape around the male threads before screwing the parts together. Then check for leaks with a leak detector, especially on CO2 lines.

Which hose clamp should I choose?

Choose a clamp whose range covers the hose's outer diameter, and measure the outside of the hose before ordering. Single-ear clamps have a low profile and are closed with pincers.