Not All In Line Strainers Are Equal: How to Choose One for Your Industry

If you’ve ever ordered an in line strainer just because it “fit the specs,” you’re not alone. But here’s the thing: in 2025, buyers are looking beyond specs—they’re optimizing for efficiency, cleanability, and process-specific performance.

At Duva Sanitary, we’ve seen first-hand how different industries approach filtration. And spoiler alert: a brewery’s needs aren’t the same as a dairy plant’s—or a pharmaceutical facility’s.

So, let’s break the mold. Instead of talking about what an in line strainer is (you already know that), here’s how to choose the right one for your real-world process.

If You’re in Dairy Processing…

You deal with high-viscosity liquids, temperature fluctuations, and strict FDA regulations. Here’s what matters:

  • Smooth interior finishes to reduce biofilm risk
  • Clamp connections for fast disassembly during CIP
  • 304/316L stainless steel that withstands aggressive cleaning agents

Pro tip: Use a finer mesh strainer (e.g. 20–40 mesh) for milk, and switch to a more open design (10 mesh) for cheese curds or cultured products.

Brewing or Beverage?

Clarity and flavor stability are everything. That means:

  • Low-pressure drop designs to avoid altering carbonation
  • Minimal dead legs for cleanability
  • Clear documentation for audits (yes, even for craft breweries)

We’ve worked with small brewers who didn’t realize their off-flavors were caused by particles left behind due to improper filtration. A small strainer upgrade? Huge difference in product consistency.

Pharmaceutical or Biotech?

Welcome to the strictest cleanroom on the block. Your in line strainer needs:

  • ASME BPE compliance
  • Electropolished surfaces with full traceability
  • Zero retention areas for sterilization assurance

Don’t compromise here. A generic strainer might “fit,” but it won’t meet validation standards.

What Buyers Overlook (But Shouldn’t)

Here’s what many engineers and buyers still overlook in 2025:

  • Maintenance cycles – How fast can the strainer be cleaned, dried, and put back in service?
  • Inventory flexibility – Can you swap just the mesh or the entire unit? Downtime = dollars.
  • Upgradability – Choosing a modular strainer design can save thousands down the line.

Why This Matters Now

Industries are under pressure to reduce waste, improve sustainability, and stay audit-ready. Choosing the right strainer for your exact use case is no longer just a technical decision—it’s a business one.

And as sustainability becomes a key buying factor in 2025, reusable, clean-in-place (CIP) sanitary components are becoming a competitive edge—not just a nice-to-have.

Find Your Fit with Duva Sanitary

We don’t just sell strainers—we help you pick the right one based on your line, your product, and your challenges. Browse our Straight In Line Strainer or reach out for a custom recommendation.

Let’s get your process running cleaner, faster, and smarter. Contact us today.