Broken Auto Siphon

[GreenwoodRover]

I last night racked my first batch from the secondary to the bottling bucket using my Fermentech Auto Siphon. Problem is that when I was done bottling and capping (what a PITA!) I was celaning all the equipment. I ran the siphon racking cane with the siphon hose under my very hot tap water and the hose would not budge. I kept trying the heat and pull method until (probably frustation setting in) I cracked the racking cane portion of the autosiphon.

If i gently remove the rubber gasket at the base of the siphon cane, can the cracked cane prtion of the auro siphon be replaced by any standard racking cane?

 

[Reno Homebrewer]

I would suggest just replacing the whole thing. You can get one for around $10.00 at many of the online homebrew stores.

 

[Jamo99]

I've broken more than my fair share of racking canes. I suggest getting some keg lube, aka food grade mineral oil. Just put a tiny dab around the end of your racking cane before attaching your tubing. the tube will slip on and off easily. Don't put much on, a little of that goes a long way.

Not sure what your break is like, but you'll probably get quite a bit of air pockets reusing the cane since the end isn't auniform. You could probably squeeze the tube to release them, but better off getting a new auto-siphon and keeping the broken cane as a spare.

 

[GreenwoodRover]

You guys are right. The auto siphon is cheap and while I'm at the LHBS I'll grab some keg lube too. I'll save broken cane for when I finally get a keg set-up and want to make the BMBF.

 

[bungholebrewery]

the "L" part of my auto siphon broke, and i just sawed the broken part and sanded it down and it works perfectly.

 

[Bokonon]

One thing I frequently do when racking using a regular cane or a autosiphon is to just stuff a picnic tap in the end of it instead of slipping the tubing over the end. It has the advantage of being able to shutoff the flow whenever you need

 

[Natron008]

The small plastic "valve" came out of mine and even after I manage the task of getting it back in, it comes right back out. I only used the damned thing twice. But it did make things very easy.

I also have a question on using it. Seems like I had to use it more as a pump and just keep pumping to transfer my brew. Is this typical or should I really be able to pull it a few times and then it does it's own thing from there?

 

[Deacon240]

I also have a question on using it. Seems like I had to use it more as a pump and just keep pumping to transfer my brew. Is this typical or should I really be able to pull it a few times and then it does it's own thing from there?

I'd say that likely isnt typical. I just used mine for the first time last night and I only had to 'pump' it whenever hops clogged it.

 

[Natron008]

I'd say that likely isnt typical. I just used mine for the first time last night and I only had to 'pump' it whenever hops clogged it.

That's what I was thinking. Although I must say it pumped very well like that and I really didn't mind it. I'm only doing 5-gal bathes though!

 

[missing link]

very hot tap water makes the auto siphon become brittle and it cracks. I went through 2 before I realized I could only use warm water to clean it.

Linc

 

[Natron008]

The sh#tty thing is that it's not technically broken. I can get the piece back in, it just doesn't stay in there for long. It's too bad there is really only one style out there, because I'm not too confident in this one. I will not let it beat me though!

 

[MikeG]

Heh, I broke my racking cane the exact same way. Trying to save $.02 worth of hose to save $15 auto-siphon. Next time I'll use the lube (shouldn't that always be first choice????) but I should have just cut the damn hose off.

 

[springer]

I also have a question on using it. Seems like I had to use it more as a pump and just keep pumping to transfer my brew. Is this typical or should I really be able to pull it a few times and then it does it's own thing from there?

once the siphon is started then you should not have to touch the auto siphon. Is there air getting into the system somewhere ?

Not to sound like a wise a$$ but you do have the bucket or bottle a few feet below the bucket that you are siphoning from right.

 

[Natron008]

once the siphon is started then you should not have to touch the auto siphon. Is there air getting into the system somewhere ?

Not to sound like a wise a$$ but you do have the bucket or bottle a few feet below the bucket that you are siphoning from right.

I appreciate the wiseness. I did not have it below, and my tubing is a bit too big so it probably was getting air in there that way too. Lesson learned... thanks.

Unfortunately, that doesn't excuse the syphon from breaking so easily. Maybe I just got one bad one.

 

[springer]

I appreciate the wiseness. I did not have it below, and my tubing is a bit too big so it probably was getting air in there that way too. Lesson learned... thanks.

Unfortunately, that doesn't excuse the syphon from breaking so easily. Maybe I just got one bad one.

The end of the hose should be below the bottom of the bucket you are siphoning from sound more like you were using it like a transfer pump. If the hose is to large then just use a small clamp or zip tie on it. I have the 1/2 auto siphon but I used 3/8 tubing just heat it up in some hot water and force it on wont need any clamps then.

 

[dakubica]

mine broke today... ugh - I think I'll buy two as they are cheap and then I have a spare.

 

[Scout001]

Yeah, not very durable. Just as I was drying getting ready to bottle a choc. Porter, mine fell out of the damn washboard onto the floor and broke the bottom piece off the transfer tube. Had to manually siphon...thank God you can swish with Starsan.

Sent from my SGH-T699 using Home Brew mobile app

 

[kh54s10]

What are you people doing to your autosiphons?

I have been brewing for 2 3/4 years with mine. (45+ brews and a couple of wines) I have no idea what is mentioned as a valve?? There is none in mine...
Do not pull on the vinyl tubing that will only tighten the end on the cane. Think of a chinese finger "cuff", the harder you pull the tighter it gets. Catch the end of the vinyl tubing with your fingernails and push/wiggle it off. Fairly hot tap water will soften the vinyl tubing.

With any siphon the vessel that is being siphoned into has to be lower than the one being siphoned out of. That is why you have to put your gas can on the ground when you are stealing gas out of someone's car.

Raise the cane part of the autosiphon all the way to the top. Put the tube part down into the wort almost to the bottom and one pump should start the siphon. The only way it will stop is if you finish, let the bottom end come out of the wort, have a leak somewhere letting air in, or having the level of the wort in the catch vessel raise above the level of the primary vessel

 

[Scout001]

What are you people doing to your autosiphons?

I have been brewing for 2 3/4 years with mine. (45+ brews and a couple of wines) I have no idea what is mentioned as a valve?? There is none in mine...
Do not pull on the vinyl tubing that will only tighten the end on the cane. Think of a chinese finger "cuff", the harder you pull the tighter it gets. Catch the end of the vinyl tubing with your fingernails and push/wiggle it off. Fairly hot tap water will soften the vinyl tubing.

With any siphon the vessel that is being siphoned into has to be lower than the one being siphoned out of. That is why you have to put your gas can on the ground when you are stealing gas out of someone's car.

Raise the cane part of the autosiphon all the way to the top. Put the tube part down into the wort almost to the bottom and one pump should start the siphon. The only way it will stop is if you finish, let the bottom end come out of the wort, have a leak somewhere letting air in, or having the level of the wort in the catch vessel raise above the level of the primary vessel

Works great when used properly, but dont let it hit the floor; brittle as glass almost. Buying 2 more.

Sent from my SGH-T699 using Home Brew mobile app

 

[kh54s10]

What are you people doing to your autosiphons?

I have been brewing for 2 3/4 years with mine. (45+ brews and a couple of wines) I have no idea what is mentioned as a valve?? There is none in mine...
Do not pull on the vinyl tubing that will only tighten the end on the cane. Think of a chinese finger "cuff", the harder you pull the tighter it gets. Catch the end of the vinyl tubing with your fingernails and push/wiggle it off. Fairly hot tap water will soften the vinyl tubing.

With any siphon the vessel that is being siphoned into has to be lower than the one being siphoned out of. That is why you have to put your gas can on the ground when you are stealing gas out of someone's car.

Raise the cane part of the autosiphon all the way to the top. Put the tube part down into the wort almost to the bottom and one pump should start the siphon. The only way it will stop is if you finish, let the bottom end come out of the wort, have a leak somewhere letting air in, or having the level of the wort in the catch vessel raise above the level of the primary vessel

I take it back about breaking the canes. I just transferred a wine and right at the top of the bend was a stress crack. I could hear it sucking air. I did not see any bubbles in the stream, grabbed some tape and continued. Time for a new autosiphon..:smack:

 

[Conan]

My valve bit came out, too. I finally got it working again and it removed itself after 2-3 brews. The valve is really just a flat plastic disc with two barbed legs that stick down and 'lock' it from floating around inside the siphon.
That siphon is littered with stress cracks in the outer tube. It's terrible- just like my wine thief, which is finally officially cracking all the way through. I recently picked up the 1/2" siphon instead of the 3/8" and it's definitely worth it. Transfer times are notably less with the big boy. Kyle

 

[kh54s10]

My valve bit came out, too. I finally got it working again and it removed itself after 2-3 brews. The valve is really just a flat plastic disc with two barbed legs that stick down and 'lock' it from floating around inside the siphon.
That siphon is littered with stress cracks in the outer tube. It's terrible- just like my wine thief, which is finally officially cracking all the way through. I recently picked up the 1/2" siphon instead of the 3/8" and it's definitely worth it. Transfer times are notably less with the big boy. Kyle

You all must have a different autosiphon than mine there are no valves in mine. There is a cane that has a 90 degree bend at the top and a rubber grommet? at the bottom. It fits in a tube that has a fitting on the end that has a cap to keep the opening above the trub.

I will be getting a larger ID in with the next one.

 

[freisste]

You all must have a different autosiphon than mine there are no valves in mine. There is a cane that has a 90 degree bend at the top and a rubber grommet? at the bottom. It fits in a tube that has a fitting on the end that has a cap to keep the opening above the trub.



I will be getting a larger ID in with the next one.

The valve is shrouded by the fitting on the end with the cap. Take the cap off and look at the end...the reason you can't see down to the elbow is because there is a valve in the way.