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thejerk · 07-28-2009, 02:07 PM

Just broke my third auto-siphon. I love the ease of the auto-siphon...before I purchased my first one and was trying to create a siphon with a racking cane and tubing I found it awkward and difficult to do in a sanitary way.
I know a lot of members of this board have given up on the auto-siphon. It's not an expensive piece of brewing equipment...unless you have to replace it every third batch. For those of you who have given up on the siphon, what do you do now?

chefmike · 07-28-2009, 02:17 PM

You might try fly guy's tubing and see if it works better for you. It won't break...

I have not broken my auto siphon yet. Not sure how I would... I just give it a little pump and off she goes... what broke? I am assuming it broke during cleaning, not use?

**Bobby_M** · 07-28-2009, 02:23 PM

The most common problem with them is the one-way check valve at the bottom of the large tube gets dislodged. It's the key to the whole operation. There are two flimsy tabs that hold it from falling out and once they weaken, it can fall out. I've replaced it by sticking it on to a wooden dowel with fun tack and working it back in place. I just wish they'd make the molded plastic bottom removable.

McKBrew · 07-28-2009, 02:48 PM

I found out this weekend how easy it is to hook a CO2 line to one side of a carboy cap and push beer through a racking cane. (Only works if you are a kegger or happen to have a CO2 tank lying about).

Kaiser · 07-28-2009, 02:56 PM

Just use a racking cane, a hose and a turkey baster. Squeeze the baster, push it into the lower end of the hose and release. The suction starts the siphon. A simpe and saitary way to start a siphon.

Kai

**mattmcl** · 07-28-2009, 03:19 PM

I fill a hose with Star San, press it onto the cane, and let go of the other end. I collect the Star San in a cup, then drop the hose into the carboy once the beer starts flowing. Couldn't be easier or cleaner.

Beerrific · 07-28-2009, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaiser

Just use a racking cane, a hose and a turkey baster. Squeeze the baster, push it into the lower end of the hose and release. The suction starts the siphon. A simpe and saitary way to start a siphon.

Kai

Same here. My racking cane is stainless steel, no way will be breaking that guy.

Kaiser · 07-28-2009, 06:54 PM

I actually broke mine intentionally. Now I can clean it with the dip tube brush. And the hose can be cleaned by pulling a test tube brush through it.

Kai

lustreking · 07-28-2009, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobby_M

The most common problem with them is the one-way check valve at the bottom of the large tube gets dislodged.

I think a lot of people either break it by trying to take off their tubing, or stepping on it.

There are easy solutions to prevent that:
1) You don't need to take the tubing off every time you use it
2) Don't step on it.

McKBrew · 07-28-2009, 07:01 PM

Both of my autosiphon issues have been microcracks developing on the tube. Didn't step on it.