Hands on Review: Kegland DuoTight Fittings & EVABarrier Tubing!

Kegland’s DuoTight Fittings are designed to work with EVABarrier Double Wall Tubing.  They offer quick, reliable connections, easy implementation, a variety of fitting options and feature amazing versatility.  They’re also, generally speaking, very well priced.  DuoTights are push to connect fittings and require no tubing clamps.

How to Use DuoTight Fittings – No Tools or Clamps Needed!

DuoTights feature a unique double EPDM O-ring design.  Coupling and uncoupling is quick and easy and requires no tools or clamps.

DuoTight Ball Lock QD on Left, Compatible EVABarrier Tubing on RightMaking a pressure capable connection is as easy as pushing the tubing all the way in the fitting and firmly pulling the tubing out.To disengage the connection press the collar toward the fitting body and pull on the tubing.  A couple tools are available to help with this process.  See below for photos and links.

Finding DuoTight Fittings and EVABarrier Tubing, Review Continues Below:

DuoTight and EVABarrier Sizing

DuoTight Fittings and EVABarrier Tubing are generally available in two sizes 8 mm and 9.5 mm.  Your fittings and tubing need to be the same size to be compatible.  Size converters are available, but I would generally suggest picking one size and standardizing on it.  For most homebrewers, I think that the 8 mm size probably makes the most sense.  It doesn’t really matter for gas and the smaller size will probably be more convenient to homebrewers as it offers increased resistance on the liquid side.  If you have a pro setup or long runs, the 9.5 mm size may make more sense.  Either way, understand that multiple sizes are available for many but not all fittings and accessories.

I have standardized on 8 mm.  Those are pictured and discussed in this review but general concepts should apply to both all sizes.

Note that sometimes DuoTight and EVABarrier tubing are labeled using English measurements 3/8″ for 9.5 mm and 5/16″ for 8 mm.

A Closer Look at DuoTight Fittings, EVABarrier Tubing and Related Tools

DuoTight x 1/4″ Flare Fitting.  I use these for keg QDs, manifold conversion and regulators.DuoTight x 1/4″ Flare Fitting.  A look at the flare threads.DuoTight Check Valve.  These keep things moving one way.  Particularly helpful to help prevent backflow on the gas side.DuoTight Check Valve.  Side view – the arrow shows flow direction.  This fitting is labeled duotight 8.  The 8 is an indication of the 8 mm size.DuoTight to Female Beer Thread.  I use these on my kegerator shanks.DuoTight to 1/4″ ThreadsDuoTight to 1/4″ Threads – Side view – This fitting is labeled duotight 8.  The 8 is an indication of the 8 mm size.A Look into the DuoTight to 1/4″ Thread FittingDuoTight to 1/4″ Threads – the threaded side.  Note this fitting includes an o-ringDuoTight Joiner/Coupler.  Used for joining two sections of EVABarrier Tubing together.DuoTight Tee Fitting.  Lots of uses, but one good one is adding another keg to your kegerator without the use of a manifold.  The modular DuoTight system allows you to easily configure and reconfigure your kegerator.
DuoTight Ball Valve.  I think you can potentially skip these for kegerator installations.  See some thoughts and tips on that below. DuoTight Ball Valve.  If you zoom in you can see that the handle is labeled to indicate which direction is on and which is off.  This is also labeled duotight 8.DuoTight Cutter – William’s Brewing | MoreBeer – this is a multi function device.  Of course it’s a tubing cutter but it’s also designed to help you remove tubing from DuoTight Fittings.  That part of the tool is pictured on the left side of this photo.  I do like this for cutting tubing, I’m not as big of a fan of using it for helping to remove tubing.  That part of the tool is just too flimsy in my opinion.  What works a lot better for helping to remove EVABarrier tubing….MoreBeer’s KOMOS branded Draft Multi Tool has a notch in it (top middle on this photo) that’s designed to help remove EVABarrier tubing.  This is a much heartier tool that works a lot better for removing tubing from DuoTight Fittings.CO2 Gauge.  I recommend picking one of these up.  It’s good for checking for leaks and you can also easily throw together a keg pressure gauge.  The gauge can be a bit difficult to disengage from DuoTights in my experience.  Once you get the hang of it, it’s easy enough.  But it’s definitely more difficult to disengage as compared to EVABarrier Tubing.Because of this system’s modularity, it’s easy to take pieces from one assembly to make another.  In this example, I pulled the gauge from my BlowTie v1 assembly and make a Ball Lock assembly to check for leaks

DuoTight Compatible Locking Clips

DuoTight Fittings have a collar that’s engaged and disengaged to connect and remove tubing without tools or clamps.  That collar can accept a locking clip to prevent the connection from disengaging.DuoTight Compatible Locking Clips via Valuebrew.  Note the blue clip that’s installed in the collar.  These snap into place and prevent the connection from disengaging, locking the connection in place.Valuebrew DuoTight Compatible Locking Clips install on several DuoTight Fittings

More About EVABarrier Double Wall Tubing

A spool of 8 mm OD EVABarrier TubingA look a the inkjet labeling on this tubing – 50cm(20 inch) KLO06224 EVABarrier 4mm*8mm Double Wall

EVABarrier tubing is BPA and PVC free.  It’s suitable for both home and professional applications.  It features a double wall design to protect against oxidation.  The smooth inner wall is designed to help prevent microbial growth.  It’s available in a variety of sizes and is generally very well priced.

EVABarrier Tubing Resistance Estimations

When you’re balancing your kegerator, it’s important to know what each component of your system provides in the way of resistance.  See: Step by Step: Balancing Your Kegerator Draft System

Credit for EVABarrier resistance goes to William’s Brewing

Does EVABarrier Tubing Work with John Guest Fittings?

Yes.  EVABarrier Tubing will work with compatible John Guest Fittings.

Lots More Stuff!

This post features the tubing, fittings and tools that I personally bought for my setup.  There are a LOTS MORE options…

Converting My Kegerator to DuoTights and EVABarrier

Old setup.  Each shank required a beer nut, tail piece, tubing clamp and piece of tubing.  In my case I had small sections of tubing and then QDs to attach beer lines.DuoTight Female Beer Thread Fittings – replaces beer nut, tail piece and tubing.Installed!  One well thought out fitting to replace three.All four taps converted to DuoTight.  You can see the edges of my Intertap Faucets at the top of this photo – Hands on ReviewIt’s DuoTight to Flare Fittings that are up to bat next.  These will go on my regulator and Ball Lock QDsMy regulator converted to DuoTights.  A piece of EVABarrier Tubing to CO2 gauge is being used to check for leaksI strung together several tees to test each faucet for potential leaks.  The modularity of DuoTights makes checking for leaks easy and it takes the guesswork out of the process.  I can conclusively tell you my setup was leak free.Both bodies of my dual pressure regulator converted to DuoTightA Ball Lock Gas QD Converted to DuoTightTwo kegs plumbed using DuoTight Fittings.  The modularity of DuoTight Fittings makes it easy to set up your kegerator without the use of a gas manifold.  A tee+check valve means you can easily add another keg.

Tips for skipping ball valves in your DuoTight Setup

As you can see from these photos, I have not used ball valves to convert my kegerator to DuoTights and EVABarrier Tubing.  If you decide to do that and want to reconfigure tubing, just disengage all connected QDs and turn off your regulator shut-off (or turn the tank valve off).  If you leave everything open and on, you could needlessly waste a bunch of CO2.

The following upgrade can also help with this issue…

A Tweak For Super Clean DuoTight Kegerator Installs…

I’m going to make the case that a particular CM Becker/CMB product is a huge upgrade for manifold-free installs.  CMB’s QD with built in check valve.  The built in check valve means you can skip the DuoTight check valve.  Both configurations work, but the addition of the CMB QD with inline check valve really cleans up the install.Both options side by side.  QD + DuoTight Flare Fitting + EVABarrier Tubing + DuoTight Inline Check Valve VS  CMB Inline Ball Lock QD + DuoTight Flare FittingBoth options installed.  As stated previously, both work, but the CMB QD really simplifies and cleans up the setup.CMB QD + DuoTight Flare Fittingthree kegs, three optionsComplete setup – DuoTight Fittings and EVBarrier Tubing installed in my kegerator

Another benefit to using these is that incorporating DuoTight Ball Valves into your setup is not as necessary.  Since gas can only flow in to your keg (the check features stops it from flowing out of your keg), you don’t need a ball valve to keep gas from exiting your keg when you remove EVABarrier tubing.

Ball Lock QDs are featured in this post, but Pin Lock Checked QDs are also available.

Or… Build a Build a DuoTight CO2 Gas Manifold

If you’re looking for a more traditional manifold.  That’s an easy proposition.  See: Build a DuoTight CO2 Gas Manifold! – for Kegland EVABarrier Tubing

Pressure Tests

Checking a keg for CO2 leaksChecking my regulator for leaksChecking shank fittings for leaksChecking a converted DuoTight manifold for leaks

I’ve completed many pressure checks on these fittings and tubing.  Other than connections that haven’t been quite tight enough (my fault), the system has been rock solid.

What is the Maximum Pressure for DuoTight Fittings?

Generally speaking DuoTights can be rated for up to 100 PSI.  That can vary based on the fitting or assembly.  See your favorite retailer or ask Kegland to confirm specifications if you have questions.  Never exceed rated pressures.

More DuoTight Stuff!

The lineup features some additional gear that’s unique and well thought out…

Kegland Inline Secondary CO2 Regulator v2 – via MoreBeer – via William’s Brewing.  This is the v2 upgrade of one of my favorite homebrewing gadgets.  v1 was amazing.  v2 adds a built in gauge and DuoTight compatibility.  Both are huge improvements and make v2 all the better.  You can use this to set specific pressures and carbonation levels on each one of your kegs and lots more.  See: Using a Keg as a CO2 Source for Portable Serving!BlowTie Spunding v1.  As of this review, this is still available to purchase although it’s been replaced by v2.  See: Hands on Review: Kegland BlowTie Diaphragm Spunding Valve!BlowTie Spunding v2 – via MoreBeer – via William’s Brewing.  Builds on v1 by adding an integrated gauge.  This is a great Spunding Vale Solution!  Want to learn more about Spunding Valves?  Build a Spunding Valve! – How and Why

Conclusions

Combine features, versatility, quality and cost and I think the DuoTight/EVABarrier System is a game changer for kegerator builders and owners.  Kegland has produced some really unique, well thought out and generally really well priced homebrewing and beer gear.  I’ve owned and used these for months and continue to be super happy.  If you’re building a kegerator or are ready to upgrade and modernize your setup, these deserve a very hard look.

DuoTight Fittings and EVABarrier Tubing:

DuoTight Compatible Locking Clips

Related Reviews and Mentioned in This Post

Also: Kegerator Tips & Gear | Keg Repair Part #s | Recent Keg Finds

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Make sure the components you use are compatible and rated for your intended application.  Contact manufacturer with questions about suitability or a specific application.  Always read and follow manufacturer directions.

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