Caribou Slobber mess up?

[f00lintherain08]

I just brewed my first batch of Caribou Slobber. I used their one gallon kit.
I have so many concerns that i messed this up.

First off the auto siphon that came with the kit didn't really seem to work that well. I think there is a lot of trub on the bottom of the carboy. Hopefully the beer will turn out decent?

Also, how do i get this auto siphon to work properly I can't figure out what i was doing wrong.

And while using Easy Clean I could not get all of it to dissolve! Does anyone else have this issue?

Last concern was pitching the yeast. I used half the package like the directions said and didn't stir or anything just let it sit. I estimated so I'm really hoping it will be enough.

Sorry major newb here.

 

[jrowland74]

My first batch was also a 1 gallon Caribou Slobber. I had the same problem with the easy clean and immediately bought some Star San. I will not use the easy clean again. The auto siphon does take a little practice. Maybe try a few times with just water to get the hang of it? As far as the yeast, I did not follow the instructions included in the kit. I followed the directions on the yeast packet and had good results. The most important advice I've received from these forums so far is RDWHAHB (or a quality beer if you don't have any home brew yet)

 

[JordanKnudson]

Not sure if this will be the same issue as what's happening with you, but when I got my very first auto siphon back when I started brewing, I didn't realize that it was a three-part contraption. I just stuck the skinny racking cane into the suction tube, and tried to use it. It didn't work very well, and try as I might, I couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong. Then I realized that it had come with a little plastic cap that attached to the bottom end of the tube. I had just assumed that this was unimportant (mine didn't include an instruction sheet), but it is actually essential to have it on in order to get the auto-siphon working. I've since brewed countless batches without ever having a problem with my auto-siphon again. (It sometimes takes two pumps to get started, but once it's going, it keeps going).

 

[SansPants]

I had an issue with my auto siphon when I first got it. On the inside at the bottom of the large tube there is a small piece that clips in and is able to move up and down depending on the liquid flow. On mine it had come un clipped on one corner so it would require a bit of pumping before it would start to siphin.

 

[JordanKnudson]

Also, forgot to mention, your yeast is going to be fine. You'll learn all about pitching rates and yeast's various responses to its conditions as you get further into the hobby. For the time being, just know that NB's instruction to add half of that yeast packet is actually more than you need for a 1 gallon batch, and so you have wiggle room to estimate it, rather than weigh out the exact 5.75 grams that would be an honest "half." As for not stirring it in, that's fine too. No need.

 

[stonecutter2]

First off the auto siphon that came with the kit didn't really seem to work that well. I think there is a lot of trub on the bottom of the carboy. Hopefully the beer will turn out decent?

No need to worry about the trub. It'll just settle on the bottom of the fermenter, and if anything is tasty for the yeast, it'll eat it and make a little more alcohol for you. Some people literally just pull everything into their fermenter, I just avoid the majority of the sludge.

Also, how do i get this auto siphon to work properly I can't figure out what i was doing wrong.

Mine requires a few pumps to get it flowing. First off, the source (brew kettle let's say) must be higher than the destination (fermenter). Gravity is your friend here. Second, lift the cane and you should see some wort coming up the pipe. If not, something is definitely wrong. As the wort follows the cane while you pump, push the pump down a bit into the column of rising wort, but NOT all the way down, instead now draw the cane higher than before, and then push down a bit more...by the third or so pump, you should have about a full column (or 3/4 full) of wort just begging to rush into your fermenter - give the cane a full even pressure downward stroke all the way - the liquid should start flowing now through the siphon. My typical siphon session sounds like THWACK THWACK THWACK WOOOOSH. Where the THWACKs are the short strokes to make that wort column rise up, then the WOOOOSH is the full downstroke to get the wort flowing through the hose. When you want it to stop, just lift the source end out of the liquid/trub. Remember the liquid in the hose will still need to flow out of it, so let it run out before lifting out of your source.

You should have no concerns during transfer of wort to fermenter about oxygenation or trub. Both are fine, and in fact oxygen is a good thing for yeast. Worry most about sanitation. Which leads us to your next question...

And while using Easy Clean I could not get all of it to dissolve! Does anyone else have this issue?

I use One Step but it's similar stuff. It does take some time or effort to get it to dissolve, it's not instant for sure. It will eventually dissolve, just use warmish water (not hot by any means) and then keep waiting or shaking.

Last concern was pitching the yeast. I used half the package like the directions said and didn't stir or anything just let it sit. I estimated so I'm really hoping it will be enough.

Sounds fine. It will be enough. That packet is good for 5 gallons or so, so 1/2 is 2.5 gallons - you technically overpitched probably, but that's fine as it gets fermentation started faster.

Sorry major newb here.

No worries, all should be well! Practice with your racking cane with two containers - one with water and one that is lower and can hold the water you siphon. Then swap containers to do it again and again. You'll get the hang of it in no time.