Bought a 1/2" auto siphon yesterday...

[m_c_zero]

And it's too big to fit into 3 of my 4 carboys (the mouths of the 3 carboys are too small)... Dammit. Back to the LHBS to see if they have a 3/8" that will fit all the way to the bottom of a 6 gallon carboy. My intuition says no.

Though the one carboy it did fit in, man did it make it easy. Had 5 gallons siphoned out in around 3 minutes. Hopefully I can figure out a solution for the other 3 carboys soon as I've got hooch to get outta there.

While I'm on the subject, this is my first time brewing in carboys and damn is it a pain in the ass compared to brewing in a bucket.

 

[cvstrat]

They should definately have one that fits. You should consider using better bottles, they have a much wider mouth.

 

[joetothemo]

Did you consider taking a carboy to LHBS? That's what I did when I needed to outfit my used carboys with stoppers.

Just a thought.

 

[JayWeezie]

While I'm on the subject, this is my first time brewing in carboys and damn is it a pain in the ass compared to brewing in a bucket.[/QUOTE]
I like fermenting in the carboy. Makes me feel like its doing its thing.

 

[AustinBrewDawg]

Funny, I was thinking the opposite. I brewed first batch Saturday, and wanted to check SG (air lock quit bubbling). I went to pop the lid off the bucket fermenter I bought at Austin Homebrew supply, and like to have never got the damn lid off!! Seriously, it took me 3 screwdrivers to pop that friggin lid off, and the edges were beat to hell when I finally did. I understand wanting an air tight seal, but damn! I concluded that for the next batch, I might just do an extended primary in the carboy.

 

[DizzyPants]

There is quite a difference between the flow rate of a 3/8 and half inch. I love mine. I have two give gallon and a six gallon carboy and the half fits fine. Good suggestion to take it to the LHBS.

 

[weirdboy]

Funny, I was thinking the opposite. I brewed first batch Saturday, and wanted to check SG (air lock quit bubbling). I went to pop the lid off the bucket fermenter I bought at Austin Homebrew supply, and like to have never got the damn lid off!! Seriously, it took me 3 screwdrivers to pop that friggin lid off, and the edges were beat to hell when I finally did. I understand wanting an air tight seal, but damn! I concluded that for the next batch, I might just do an extended primary in the carboy.

The real trick is to just ignore the damn bucket for a couple of weeks.

Depending on where you got the bucket/lid, there may be a strip you have to remove on it which makes it VERY difficult to get the lid on or off. It is for food service stuff...you pack the food in the bucket, click the lid into place and then when it arrives the receiver is supposed to remove that strip.

Although some lids just seem a little tight at first, and you have to get the hang of popping it off.

 

[AustinBrewDawg]

The real trick is to just ignore the damn bucket for a couple of weeks.

That's proving to be more difficult than getting that frackin' lid off.

 

[C-Rider]

The real trick is to just ignore the damn bucket for a couple of weeks.

Depending on where you got the bucket/lid, there may be a strip you have to remove on it which makes it VERY difficult to get the lid on or off. It is for food service stuff...you pack the food in the bucket, click the lid into place and then when it arrives the receiver is supposed to remove that strip.

Although some lids just seem a little tight at first, and you have to get the hang of popping it off.

Yup, ya gotta remove that strip!

 

[m_c_zero]

They should definately have one that fits. You should consider using better bottles, they have a much wider mouth.

I'm thinking about maybe doing a switch to the better bottles. These carboys were given to me so I was excited about using them, but didn't look into it much and just jumped right in. The carboys are cool and all, but they are heavy and a pain in the ass to clean because of their weight. I think a better bottle may just be up my alley.

Did you consider taking a carboy to
LHBS?

That would have been the smart thing to do, so no I didn't. I'll just put all my stock in hoping there's a 3/8" there that will fit, though their selection is pretty damn small.

I like fermenting in the carboy. Makes me feel like its doing its thing.

I agree, it is cool to see it in action, though I've got them stored in a cellar and don't check on them much.

 

[lumpher]

That's proving to be more difficult than getting that frackin' lid off.

get the pipeline going. it gets easy to ignore them then. i just remembered yesterday i have 2 different beers i need to keg this weekend, and 1 to rack with fruit

 

[joetothemo]

get the pipeline going. it gets easy to ignore them then. i just remembered yesterday i have 2 different beers i need to keg this weekend, and 1 to rack with fruit

Pipeline is crucial. I am finally just getting to the point where I can keep my nose out of the bucket and my mitts off of green beer. This after nearly 6 months of brewing every few weeks. Patience has never been my strong suit.

 

[fenners]

Funny, I was thinking the opposite. I brewed first batch Saturday, and wanted to check SG (air lock quit bubbling). I went to pop the lid off the bucket fermenter I bought at Austin Homebrew supply, and like to have never got the damn lid off!! Seriously, it took me 3 screwdrivers to pop that friggin lid off, and the edges were beat to hell when I finally did. I understand wanting an air tight seal, but damn! I concluded that for the next batch, I might just do an extended primary in the carboy.

I had the exact same problem with the bucket I got from AHS in my starter kit I ended up buying a bucket opener from HomeDepot for a couple of bucks, saved chewing up the lid.

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...Flow=3&catalogId=10053&langId=-1&ddkey=Search

 

[AustinBrewDawg]

Fenners, wanted to thank you for the tip on the pail opener. Did just like you said and got one at Home Depot for 4 bucks, and that lid popped right off.

For the person who said to get the pipeline going, that was epic advice as well. Starting batch #2 (Partial Mash Oatmeal Stout) tonight!!

 

[m_c_zero]

Pipelines are definitely the way to go. Unfortunately time and money is not always readily available

 

[BrewThruYou]

I bought a 1/2" auto-siphon. It fits in the two 5gal carboys that I bought from my LHBS. But I bought a Great Bear carboy off craigslist and it doesn't fit. The 1/2" is just so much faster than 3/8".

I'll probably put the CL carboy back on CL...use the proceeds and $10 to pick up a new carboy.

 

[nutty_gnome]

Please give the diameter of the body of the half inch auto siphon. I've been wanting one but hadn't thought about this particular issue.

 

[m_c_zero]

Forgot to check last night, I'll try to remember to look at it tonight.

 

[DeafSmith]

Max. diam. = 1.11 inches. This is the black plastic at the bottom of the auto-siphon (not the removable piece, which measures 1.01 inches). Clear tube diameter is 1.00 inches.

 

[nutty_gnome]

Thanks thats exactly what I wished to know. Now to measure some bungs... lol

 

[joetothemo]

Now to measure some bungs... lol

That's what SHE said!