Put sampling spigot on buckets?

[andyplank]

I'd like to be able to take gravity tests and watch the fermentation steps more frequently, and in an easier way. I don't like taking the lid off of buckets and using the thief to collect samples multiple times to see if fermentation is through.

I'm thinking of drilling a hole at about the 3 gallon line of a 5 gallon bucket, and putting a spigot there. Then I can just open the valve, collect what I need, and close it up again when done.
Has anybody done this already? Or any thoughts on the idea?

 

[kiwipen]

I have mounted spigots in all my buckets, and I'm very pleased with it.

Just remember to pull out the airlock when you transfer to a bottling bucket or keg.

 

[andyplank]

Nice, thanks!

 

[Weezy]

These work well.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013FWX4HA/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[andyplank]

These work well.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013FWX4HA/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Oh yeah, I like that idea. Much easier to get stainless steel cleaned and sanitized. Thanks Weezy.

 

[JonM]

You can get a big syringe (like veterinary type syringes) and attach some vinyl tubing to it. Makes it a snap to suck up a gravity sample.

 

[plazola86]

I would mount the spigot on the 1 gallon mark. That way you could pull samples for gravity readings and transfer to bottles/kegs when fermentation is complete.

 

[haanjamin]

You can get a big syringe (like veterinary type syringes) and attach some vinyl tubing to it. Makes it a snap to suck up a gravity sample.

+1 I got a 150 ml syringe and tubing and think it works pretty good. Don't need to worry about cleaning out spiggots.

 

[andyplank]

Not sure I understand. Does this still require taking the lid off?

 

[Sadu]

If you use a syringe with tubing attached you can go in through the airlock hole. So you don't need to take off the lid.

I find spigots more hassle to clean and sanitise than they are worth. I would rather take less samples and have less cleanup.

 

[timdillon36]

Not sure I understand. Does this still require taking the lid off?

Nope, just pull the air lock out and feed the tubing through the hole. Or if you use a 3 piece air lock you can pull the cap and inner part and feed it through that hole.