Hose Recommendations

[SeanD]

With the amount of time I'm putting in to washing tanks, barrels, etc. - in freezing temps, after dark, and in a bad mood, I'm ready to invest in a better hose. There are so many out there that claim to be the greatest anti-kink technology, durable, best for cold weather or hot water, I don't know what to believe.

Basically, I want something that's flexible in cold weather, doesn't have a memory, rolls up easily, and has fittings that can withstand some abuse. Am I on the right track looking at rubber hose and brass fittings? What about these octagon-shaped hoses? What's that about?

If you love your hose, I'd love your input.

Thanks,
Sean

[In da bush]

I swear by Craftsman hoses,idk if they’re still selling them due to the limbo of Sears and the Craftsman brand being sold off.

[eustis22]

craftsman rubber hose

[Cjadamec]

Yep the old rubber hose is best for cold weather and having little memory. They tend to leave marks on things that the hose rubs up against but not always.

Amazon has a selection of them. (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007R0UHDQ/ref=psdc_553966_t1_B00002NCGA)

[maple flats]

I only use potable water hose, I never want to introduce any of the things that are in those other hoses into my equipment. Non potable water hoses can be made of any recycled materials that can contain lead or even poisons from in recycled materials.
I rarely kink a hose, you just need to develop a system when moving them to prevent kinking and take a little time to check as you pull the hose around. Also, I do not use the potable water hoses from Walmart, they are too flimsy. Find a better quality one, costlier, but from an RV dealer. The hose will be higher quality.

[johnallin]

I'm with Dave on this one and use a hose that's NSF-61 rated. Armadillo hose is rated for both cold and hot water...most RV hose is just cold water rated. It also has a very tough outer jacket and, I believe, stainless fittings.
The downside is that it's Not user friendly when cold. When cleaning up; I run it about 80' from the shop to the sugar house, if it's been laying in the snow, it's like coiling up a piece of re-bar. Running some hot water through it softens it right up though. It's not cheap, but it's not leaching anything into my syrup either. I use the Marine Hose.

http://armadillohose.com/

[SeanD]

Thanks for the input - although "...like coiling up a piece of re-bar," is definitely a dealbreaker!

[RedMapleCreek]

Flexilla hose is the best potable water hose I have used. It remains completely flexible in cold weather (unlike that white potable water hose) and has very well made end connections. It is available in various lengths from 3ft to 100 ft.
https://www.amazon.com/Flexzilla-HFZG550YW-Garden-Lightweight-Drinking/dp/B003TFE7ZM/

[SeanD]

Thanks for sharing that link. I had seen the Flexilla, but hadn't noticed it could do potable water. Was hoping to avoid the aluminum fittings because sooner or later I ding up the male threads. They call it durable aircraft aluminum, so maybe that makes a difference?

[western mainer]

Yes but the reviews aren't very good on that hose.

[Sugarmaker]

The old rubber Sears/Craftsman hose is ALL I will allow in the sugarhouse! Not sure you can still get it? Has not let me down in 20 years!
Also at one time it had a life time guarantee.
Regards,
Chris

[SeanD]

Ace Hardware (https://www.acehardware.com/departments/lawn-and-garden/watering-and-irrigation/garden-hoses/7307697#ratings-and-reviews) carries the Craftsman rubber hose.

[wiam]

Ace Hardware (https://www.acehardware.com/departments/lawn-and-garden/watering-and-irrigation/garden-hoses/7307697#ratings-and-reviews) carries the Craftsman rubber hose.
except the part where it says “safe for drinking water: no”��

[VT_K9]

We just bought a goodyear hose from Home Depot...Drinking water safe, hot water, flexible in cold weather. We have used it once thus season and it worked well.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Goodyear-5-8-in-Dia-x-50-ft-Maxlite-Rubber-Hose-CGYSGC58050/300520215

Mike

[SeanD]

When I picked up the Craftsman from the shelf, it left black marks on my hands. That was the end of that one. So, I bought the ACE version that is commercial/farm grade, lead free and safe for drinking. It has the large fittings like that Goodyear one, which I really like.

I tried it out last night and overall it's an improvement over the POS I had before, but I can't say it did well in the cold. It was in the upper 20s when I needed it and I had to unwind it to get the spring-like coils out of it. Once I unwound it, it laid flat, but I'm left wondering if there is something better. Rolling it up wasn't fun either, but by then it was in the low 20s and again, I'm wondering it that's to be expected - even from good hoses.

When you use that Goodyear one in the cold, do you have to unwind it as you lead it out?

[RedMapleCreek]

You will not find a more flexible hose in cold weather than the Flexilla. The poor reviews in Amazon that someone mentioned earlier mostly relate to it turning black with mildew and end fittings pulling off. I can see that mildew could certainly happen leaving it out wet in warmer weather since the hose is light colored and has a slightly textured outside surface. I have left mine in the woods on snow for a couple of months with no mildew forming. I can also see the fittings pulling off if it is yanked around hard when hot since it could get very soft and weak lying in the sun on a hot day. Extreme flexibility and strength maybe somewhat mutually exclusive properties in hoses. I only use my Flexilla hoses in the cold weather so I have not had those problems.