I have the Auto-Siphon Blues

My first time using the auto-siphon they supply with beer making kits will be my last. What a piece of junk. I can't be the only one who thinks this.



I need something else to do transfers. I don't want to buy a $100 electric pump.

I was thinking this might work OK. What do you think?



http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00481RCYE/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

What's the matter with it?

SenorPepe said:

What's the matter with it?

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Agreed. I use the auto siphon and thing works like a charm. I get a few years out of them before the thing wears out but I always feel I get my monies worth.

my auto siphon works like a charm. what is wrong with them?

You're doing it wrong.....

payton34 said:

my auto siphon works like a charm. what is wrong with them?

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+1 Mine works great too

its one of the best things ive bought!!

The internal plunger part on mine is smaller than it should be, so it doesn't get a good seal. It's a loose fit. It takes a few tries to get it working which introduced some bubbles. Should it work with one plunge?

I'll mess around with later, but it didn't seem right.

Hmm...mines fits pretty well. I only ever need two pumps max to get it going.

Also, I just bought a new one with a plastic clip to clip to my boil kettle. Huge plus. I believe I got it at AHS.

It should be a relatively tight fit but you can wiggle it back and forth a bit. Sometimes I have to pump 3 times or so but usually less.

It also looks like you could use a hose clamp or two around where the hose attaches to the cane....that might be where the bubbles are coming from...if that connection isn't tight it will bubble like crazy.

I actually had to pump it several times to get it moving and of course used gravity too. It's pretty loose on the inside. Maybe I just got a dud.

chumpsteak said:

It also looks like you could use a hose clamp or two around where the hose attaches to the cane....that might be where the bubbles are coming from...if that connection isn't tight it will bubble like crazy.

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not my pic.

the hose connection is really tight.

Is the gasket plunger thingy attached to the racking cane? Maybe you got jipped. Anyway, if it doesn't work, go buy a new one....they normally work great.

You could always try the racking cane + carboy cap method. It seems like it would work just as well or better.

BaronVonMeisterburger said:

I actually had to pump it several times to get it moving

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That's what she said.

chumpsteak said:

Is the gasket plunger thingy attached to the racking cane? Maybe you got jipped.

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Yes. The plunger is either a little too small or out of round.

I've been jipped!

Do you have the other container below the bottom of the auto siphon? I know it might be a stupid question. But these things aren't pumps.

Yes. I used gravity. It drained the bucket once it got going.

Normally, two full pumps should do the trick to get it working. Are you having trouble because the auto siphon is attached to a racking cane? If the racking cane's tip is attached the beer can't flow through unless the tip is pressed against a surface. If that's you're problem, try removing the tip, pump twice and be prepared to put the tip on quickly once the beer is flowing.

Make sure you put the larger tube down into the wort at least 6 inches. Draw up the racking cane above the liquid line. One pump should start it.

If the rubber grommet at the end of the cane is loose you will need a new inner tube. Or just the grommet if you can find one??

The inner tubes are available at Northern Brewer. If it is new, call the supplier. Maybe you can get a replacement.

My auto siphon is one of the best pieces of equipment that I own.

I wasn't using a racking cane.

I'll use the siphon a few more times before declaring it a dud.

Maybe the plunger part will expand after a few uses for a tighter fit.

Don't store the inner tube inside the larger one. The plunger rubber will get trained in too small of a diameter. Run that part under some hot water.

The part that moves in a auto siphon is a racking cane

Can we stop using that racial slur? They have enough trouble with being kicked out of every EU country they try to live in without us piling on over here.

hoghead said:

The part that moves in a auto siphon is a racking cane

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I that case, I'm using a racking cane. :rockin:

Bobby_M said:

Don't store the inner tube inside the larger one. The plunger rubber will get trained in too small of a diameter. Run that part under some hot water.

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Good advice.

I had it stored inside the tube for about a month before I used it for the first time.

A ggod trick if it is a loose fit. Take a santized turkey baster ans squirt a little wort above the seal. If it want to leak it will help seal it.

I had one that had that problem and it solved it.

I also add liquid (starsan) between the two tubes when I have issues with the seal. It's fixed every problem so far.

Auto Siphon is the shiz. Maybe you just have a dud.

Sorry, I meant bottling wand when I said racking cane.