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Reno Homebrewer · 02-11-2008, 03:10 PM

I can see how the "Filling the hose with water" method would work, but my question is, why? You are adding water (even if its only a very small amount) to your beer, and the guy in the video filled it straight from the tap. That seems silly after spending so much time sanitizing everything to just use tap water. So it's either sanitize tap water by boiling and letting it cool, or sanitizing an autosiphon (which is attached to the hose that you need to sanitize anyway) in less than a minute with Starsan. I just cannot see any reason to use any other method than an autosiphon.

Germey · 02-11-2008, 03:29 PM

Yes, your mouth has bacteria, but so does your finger (even if it's been sloshing around in sanitizer). I love the auto-siphon, but brewed for 10 years without one. I would get the cane in place, then fill the tube by mouth and clamp it off and dunk the tip of the tube in 190° water to flash sanitize it. Of course, this is greatly facilitated by the insta-hot tap, but one could do the same with a no-rinse sanitizer soln.
There is a certain value to having the racking cane secured where you want it, getting every thing lined up, then instantly starting the siphon. Using an intermediate tube between your mouth and the actual siphon hose is also a good idea.
It's a good thing to have lots of tricks up your sleeve so that you can deal with life's surprises.

GlassblowersBrew · 02-11-2008, 06:47 PM

I've been filling my hose and racking cane with starsan to start my siphon. I then begin my siphon into a pot on the floor. The moment beer begins coming out of my hose I cap it with my finger and immediately move it into my carboy. No unneccessary tap water, no bacteria, no problems yet.....If your really worried about bacteria, use a latex glove to cap hose.

I'd like to try the carboy cap siphon starting idea I've seen in another thread. If someone knows where this thread is post a link.

**TheGAC** · 02-11-2008, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlassblowersBrew

I've been filling my hose and racking cane with starsan to start my siphon. I then begin my siphon into a pot on the floor. The moment beer begins coming out of my hose I cap it with my finger and immediately move it into my carboy. No unneccessary tap water, no bacteria, no problems yet.....If your really worried about bacteria, use a latex glove to cap hose.

I'd like to try the carboy cap siphon starting idea I've seen in another thread. If someone knows where this thread is post a link.

I'm pretty sure you're talking about this thread here...

**BierMuncher** · 02-11-2008, 07:54 PM

I love it when the OP hits the forum with a question, then immediately logs off and never returns to see the efforts of the people trying to help.

Ooompa Loompa · 02-11-2008, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reno Homebrewer

I can see how the "Filling the hose with water" method would work, but my question is, why? You are adding water (even if its only a very small amount) to your beer, and the guy in the video filled it straight from the tap. That seems silly after spending so much time sanitizing everything to just use tap water. So it's either sanitize tap water by boiling and letting it cool, or sanitizing an autosiphon (which is attached to the hose that you need to sanitize anyway) in less than a minute with Starsan. I just cannot see any reason to use any other method than an autosiphon.

I use the "filling the hose with water" method. I do partial boils and use water straight from the tap to top off my carboy. I see no reason why I shouldn't use this same water to get my syphons started. Unless you have really bad tap water there I can't see anything wrong with this.

RJRobb2 · 02-11-2008, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BierMuncher

I love it when the OP hits the forum with a question, then immediately logs off and never returns to see the efforts of the people trying to help.

As soon as I posted this I got it working and got to bottle my first batch!

For some reason the syphon kept stopping. I dont know what the deal was. I was frustrated as hell because I was all set to bottle. But, I finally got it flowing!

I do appreciated the info though, I am going to look into the autosyphon.

Reno Homebrewer · 02-12-2008, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ooompa Loompa

I use the "filling the hose with water" method. I do partial boils and use water straight from the tap to top off my carboy. I see no reason why I shouldn't use this same water to get my syphons started. Unless you have really bad tap water there I can't see anything wrong with this.

Nothing wrong with it. For me, the easiest part of the whole process of brewing beer is pulling a piece of plastic up and then pushing it back down. To each his/her own.