[denny]

at least you ain't drinkin' outta the fermenter!

Some people call it a racking cane...I call it a straw.

[redbeerman]

at least you ain't drinkin' outta the fermenter!

Some people call it a racking cane...I call it a straw.

 

[bluesman]

at least you ain't drinkin' outta the fermenter!

Some people call it a racking cane...I call it a straw.

I think you're onto something here Denny. 

[anje]

Silly question: could one theoretically forego a kegging system with bottles, carbonator caps, a CO2 tank, that the requisite hoses and regulator? (Currently lack space for a kegerator, but I could see this setup for, say, a small batch and a canoe trip.)

You could do that.  It would be kind of labor intensive and expensive for the caps, but it would work.

These are the caps, right?  As far as labor-intensive goes, I bottle now.

[AmandaK]

at least you ain't drinkin' outta the fermenter!

Some people call it a racking cane...I call it a straw.

HAHAHA YES.

[denny]

These are the caps, right?  As far as labor-intensive goes, I bottle now.

The gas fitting doesn't look right.  I was thinking of these...

http://morebeer.com/view_product/18250/

[tschmidlin]

These are the caps, right?  As far as labor-intensive goes, I bottle now.

The gas fitting doesn't look right.  I was thinking of these...

http://morebeer.com/view_product/18250/

I have some of the ones Denny linked to, but one broke recently from repetitive use.  I probably over tighten it, it split down the side.

For the price though, I might buy the ones anje linked to - thanks!

[anje]

These are the caps, right?  As far as labor-intensive goes, I bottle now.

The gas fitting doesn't look right.  I was thinking of these...

http://morebeer.com/view_product/18250/

They require a different fitting, which is another $4 part.  Here's the set. Also seems like a good way for people who have pin-lock systems to use carbonation caps.

[tschmidlin]

These are the caps, right?  As far as labor-intensive goes, I bottle now.

The gas fitting doesn't look right.  I was thinking of these...

http://morebeer.com/view_product/18250/

They require a different fitting, which is another $4 part.  Here's the set. Also seems like a good way for people who have pin-lock systems to use carbonation caps.

Flat $5 shipping too . . . that's going to be hard to pass up!

I have also seen one where people made them themselves out of schrader valves (think tire valve).

[Jimmy K]

Flat $5 shipping too . . . that's going to be hard to pass up!

I have also seen one where people made them themselves out of schrader valves (think tire valve).

Hmm - and then you could use a co2 tire inflator.

[tschmidlin]

Flat $5 shipping too . . . that's going to be hard to pass up!

I have also seen one where people made them themselves out of schrader valves (think tire valve).

Hmm - and then you could use a co2 tire inflator.

Exactly.  I don't really feel like DIYing it though, I've got enough unfinished projects as is.

[Joe Sr.]

I have also seen one where people made them themselves out of schrader valves (think tire valve).

That would be me.  I've also lost about three or four of them, so the comparatively low price of the valve stem is ideal for me.

The DIY part is easy.  Drill a hole in the cap, push the valve through, tighten the nut.  Bingo!

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx?R=NTH90226_0214193515

There are also rubber "snap in" stems, but I think your drilled hole probably needs to be more precise.  I've never tried those ones.

[Joe Sr.]

Hell, sometimes I just drink the entire hydrometer sample that I take before packaging!

Sometimes? Every time.

[anje]

Hell, sometimes I just drink the entire hydrometer sample that I take before packaging!

Sometimes? Every time.

+1  If it's horrific, might as well not go through the trouble of bottling.

[Jimmy K]

I have also seen one where people made them themselves out of schrader valves (think tire valve).

That would be me.  I've also lost about three or four of them, so the comparatively low price of the valve stem is ideal for me.

The DIY part is easy.  Drill a hole in the cap, push the valve through, tighten the nut.  Bingo!

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx?R=NTH90226_0214193515

There are also rubber "snap in" stems, but I think your drilled hole probably needs to be more precise.  I've never tried those ones.

That's easy! I'll add that to the project list.