FlyGuy's T-siphon: a $3 replacement for an autosiphon

FlyGuy · 03-27-2007, 07:29 PM

As much as I like my autosiphon, I find it clumsy and a pain to clean. I also really prefer a narrow racking cane when siphoning from carboys because the autosiphon is too wide to fit down into the bottom 'corner' of the carboy.

So, I came up with a different design for a siphon hose that doesn't require an autosiphon. I call it the T-siphon. Here are the parts:

1 x nylon barb tee (whatever size fits your siphon hose): $1.99
1 x cheap hose clamp: $0.99
siphon hose (I assume you have that for your autosiphon already - so no cost)

Basically, all I did was cut my hose in half and insert the T. Get another piece of hose as long as the top piece (i.e., the half that will go up to the vessel you are racking from) and attach it to the middle barb on the tee. Put the hose clamp on this piece of hose.

Just make sure that the top piece of hose is long enough that the tee can hang LOWER than the vessel you are racking from. Here is what it should look like.

Now to siphon -- this part works so well and it is so easy, you may never use your autosiphon again (I sure won't!).

Insert your hoses/racking cane(s) into your vessels. Make sure the tee is below the height of the top vessel. Now stand up and give one good quick suck on the third hose (middle tee) to get the liquid flowing. As soon as you see the liquid reach the tee, clamp down with the hose clamp near your mouth. The liquid will go right by the tee and into your second vessel! Too easy.

Oh, to ensure that you don't get a mouthfull of beer (or worse yet, contaminate it), try to get the tube that you suck on above the height of your top vessel.

If you try it, let me know if it worked for you! I wish I had figured this out years ago!

-- FlyGuy

fshnne1 · 03-27-2007, 07:36 PM

love that idea should work great, I will build one this weekend

**kornkob** · 03-27-2007, 07:45 PM

Very neat.

I'll keep my autosiphon though as it also doubles as a wine thief for taking samples.

JayMckeever · 03-27-2007, 07:56 PM

I never got around to getting an auto syphon, and now it looks like I won't have to. Thanks for the idea!

The Pol · 03-27-2007, 08:02 PM

That is sweet... why didnt I think of that!

**Yuri_Rage** · 03-27-2007, 08:08 PM

This makes entirely too much sense. I like it!

If you wanted to get REALLY excited about sanitation, a turkey baster could be used to start the siphon. I used to use one at the bottom of my siphon hose, and it was always a bit of a mess. There is no mess with your design.

Kudos!

cweston · 03-27-2007, 08:09 PM

Yup--that's the same basic principle as siphoning w/ the carboy cap: create a pressure differential, and the siphon will flow from positive to negative pressure.

The thing I like about the carboy cap, though, is that it holds the racking cane in place so it can be left unattended. (Of course you could still use a carboy cap for that purpose with your setup, as long as the vessel you're siphoning from is a carboy.)

cweston · 03-27-2007, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yuri_Rage

This makes entirely too much sense. I like it!

If you wanted to get REALLY excited about sanitation, a turkey baster could be used to start the siphon.

Or use a sanitary filter (like what's used in an aquarium pump aeration system).

FlyGuy · 03-27-2007, 08:15 PM

I don't think sanitation is much of an issue because you are only creating suction (not blowing into the tube), and the parts your mouth touches never touch beer.

**Yuri_Rage** · 03-27-2007, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyGuy

I don't think sanitation is much of an issue because you are only creating suction (not blowing into the tube), and the parts your mouth touches never touch beer.

I know...hence the REALLY in caps...