Another silly question (racking cane)

[greg75]

The racking cane that came with my kit had a removable black cap at one end. I removed this when racking from primary to secondary, assuming that's what needed to be done. After looking at other kits on the internet, however, I'm starting to get the impression I should have left that cap on, to prevent sludge other particles from being racked with the beer. How do you guys do this?

 

[Baron von BeeGee]

The cap is meant to be left on...a little bit of insurance against sucking in trub. They work kind of okay as long as you keep the racking cane above the trub.

 

[Blender]

You are correct. That cap keeps the bottom of the syphon a bit above the bottom of the container and helps avoid transfering the trub. I always leave it on.

 

[greg75]

Thanks for the quick replies! So, if I leave that cap on, can I simply put the racking cane all the way down until it hits the bottom of the fermenter? Or, should I still leave it 1/2" or so off the bottom?

 

[Brewno]

Thanks for the quick replies! So, if I leave that cap on, can I simply put the racking cane all the way down until it hits the bottom of the fermenter? Or, should I still leave it 1/2" or so off the bottom?

I don't know what the official answer to this is but I leave mine a little above the bottom then play with it at the end of siphoning by tipping the carboy or bucket.
I may get a little less beer but it's worth it if I have less sediment IMO.

Tommy

 

[homebrewer_99]

Thanks for the quick replies! So, if I leave that cap on, can I simply put the racking cane all the way down until it hits the bottom of the fermenter? Or, should I still leave it 1/2" or so off the bottom?

With the cap on you can let it hit bottom so to speak. Keeping it off the bottom really depends on how much trub you have. Naturally, if you have 2" of trub it'll be submerged by 1" so that's not good.

To keep the cane off of the bottom I use a spring loaded clamp that I place around the shaft. It sits on the rim of the fermenter.

 

[Exo]

To keep the cane off of the bottom I use a spring loaded clamp that I place around the shaft. It sits on the rim of the fermenter.