Got my autosiphon in the mail yesterday, and I'll never go back!!!

Yep, I got my autosiphon from AHS yesterday, and I don't think I'll ever go back to the regular siphon. I even strayed from my pitcher/funnel put into the carboy method, and used my auto-siphon instead.

Yep, I love it, do you?
J

That is probably one of my favorite pieces of equipment.

marubozo said:

That is probably one of my favorite pieces of equipment.

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+1, I had to buy a second one because my first one was beaten to hell.

Yep, the autosiphon rocks; makes a great gift too.

I loved them too until my second one broke. Be careful with the piece that sits in the bottom. The slightest touch if trying to remove debris and knock it loose and it is VERY difficult to get back in. The siphon will not work without it. My first one last about a year, the second one last 3 uses until that piece just fell out

Has anyone ever found one made of Stainless steel or a similar material? The plastic ones are great but don't seem to hold up too long.

November said:

Has anyone ever found one made of Stainless steel or a similar material? The plastic ones are great but don't seem to hold up too long.

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No, though there have been a few threads of folks brianstorming on how to make one.

Isn't it great how such a simple little thing like an autosiphon can make us happy?

+1

I recommend the XL version that uses 1/2" tubing...you can syphon 5 gallons in about 2 minutes!

I agree, I got mine probably 6 weeks ago after having always used a manual siphon and I will never go back. It makes things so much easier and less messy.

HalfPint said:

Yep, I love it, do you?

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No.

Had mine over two years with no problems. Would be lost with out it!!!

I love mine. When I can use it, it works great.

Word of warning though. It's not obvious that they cannot handle hot wort. Please do yourself a favor and do not siphon hot wort with it. Trust me.

I like mine, but I have snapped the curved neck of the inner part of the siphon twice. I'm looking for a better, or at least more durable, solution.

I once loved mine but now I love the regular siphon/CO2 bottle combo.

Starting a siphon process is simple and takes less than 1 second. Why would anybody need an autosiphon?

It always seems like a hassle to me to start a siphon. I did it for about 8 years, switched to an Autosiphon and will never look back. Maybe I don't do it right, but the Autosiphon may be the best piece of brewing equipment I have ever bought.

I used to love her but I had to kill her, 3 times. My autosiphon that is. When you've had the crappy seals they use leak air on 3 different autosiphons, well...you kill them. I also don't like cardboard beer either. Ya know, they sure could improve on those if they made them out of something thicker that could take a better seal than that crappy plastic outer tube they use.

I now just use a 1/2 inch racking cane and start the siphon the manual way.

As easy as they are to use- if you don't know how to start a manual siphon, when your autosiphon starts to leak air, then you shouldn't be homebrewing. I regret wasting money on the things.

Morebeer sells a stainless steel siphon starter that uses a sterile filter that you blow into to generate pressure. As long as you're careful with keeping one of the ends of the filter "clean" it should last a good long time.

The autosiphon idea is good but they are made out of such cheap material. After going through two in a year I purchase a stainless racking cane and can't say that I've had any problems getting it started. Not planning to go back but if they ever come out with a stainless version I might have to give it a second look.

I am an autosiphon hater. I have probably owned 5 of them and broken them all. I use a regular siphon, a positive pressure siphon (e.g., MoreBeers setup), or push with CO2.

I had the smaller one and it seemed to take forever and upgraded to the large one which is super quick. However, the last batch or two I've noticed it sucking in air at the bottom where the 2 pieces mate together, not good. I haven't noticed any problems with the beer but none the less not what you want.

So how do you start a normal siphon? Do you fill the tube with water?

I need to find a replacement soon as mine apparently isn't doing so well.

The funny think is when the level in the carboy is high it doesn't seem to suck air, it's when the level get low that it starts to suck air.

I don't know how I made it through my first 4 or 5 years of brewing without one. They are great.