[tygo]

I fasten the hose with a gear clamp.

I'm going to give this a try.  I was a little hesitant using one with the plastic cane but I'll just be careful how much I tighten it.

[majorvices]

Yes, I have cracked the cane before.

[babalu87]

Yes, I have cracked the cane before.

I made my cane in 1994 out of stainless tube, bending it would even be an issue because its thick wall.

I gotta get set up so I can purge bottles with CO2 easier though.

Do they make a Cobra tap with an MFL fitting? That would be GREAT.
I suppose some epoxy and a "spare" QD would work but if anyone knows of a Cobra tap with an MFL I am all ears.

[denny]

I guess I don't understand what's so hard about syphoning. Put a carboy on a table with the target vessel on the floor, fill a tube with water, hold your thumb over one end, put the other end in the source, hold the thumb end below the open end, then release your thumb. Drain the water into a glass, and then divert to the target when beer starts coming out. Very simple, and it doesn't shake air into anything. If you want to slow the rate, move the two ends of the tube closer to each other. If you want to stop the flow, raise the outflow end higher.

Finally, a voice of sanity!  This is what I do do...maybe that makes you the voice of insanity....

[gordonstrong]

That's me. Cheap and easy. I don't batch sparge and I don't like rye too much so I haven't drank the full glass of koolaid.

[majorvices]

I guess I don't understand what's so hard about syphoning. Put a carboy on a table with the target vessel on the floor, fill a tube with water, hold your thumb over one end, put the other end in the source, hold the thumb end below the open end, then release your thumb. Drain the water into a glass, and then divert to the target when beer starts coming out. Very simple, and it doesn't shake air into anything. If you want to slow the rate, move the two ends of the tube closer to each other. If you want to stop the flow, raise the outflow end higher.

Finally, a voice of sanity!  This is what I do do...maybe that makes you the voice of insanity....

I guess its kinda nice to not have to put your hands, clean though they may be, over the opening of both ends that are going to be touching your beer.

[bluesman]

I guess I don't understand what's so hard about syphoning. Put a carboy on a table with the target vessel on the floor, fill a tube with water, hold your thumb over one end, put the other end in the source, hold the thumb end below the open end, then release your thumb. Drain the water into a glass, and then divert to the target when beer starts coming out. Very simple, and it doesn't shake air into anything. If you want to slow the rate, move the two ends of the tube closer to each other. If you want to stop the flow, raise the outflow end higher.

Finally, a voice of sanity!  This is what I do do...maybe that makes you the voice of insanity....

I guess its kinda nice to not have to put your hands, clean though they may be, over the opening of both ends that are going to be touching your beer.

Maybe that's part of Gordon's secret. 

A little Gordon in every pint. 

[shea-arne]

So.... Has the stale beer problem been fixed?

[denny]

That's me. Cheap and easy. I don't batch sparge and I don't like rye too much so I haven't drank the full glass of koolaid.

Well, you've at least started on the path to hell....

[jwatkins56550]

I would start investing in a kegging system.  Do it slowly and it wont be so hard on the wallet.

Get your C02 first, and try flushing your bottling bucket with c02 before you put your beer in it...it cant hurt!

[wingnut]

So.... Has the stale beer problem been fixed?

I do not know if the problem is fixed (Unfortunately it will take a couple batches of beer and three to four months to tell), however, I have found that the caps or capper were an issue on the last batch, so I plan on running a test and see if the issue goes away.

Thanks,

[wingnut]

I'm just going to add that I absolutely LOVE my auto-siphon and they work great.

Have you noted what Fred was mentioning with the micro-bubble right at the top of the hose?  After reading that I paid closer attention the last time and noticed the same thing.

The thing about the autosiphon bubble that sometimes forms... I have not been able to establish if the bubble is air getting trapped, or CO2 coming out of solution and collecting. 

Something to think about if you are cranking your clamp so tight it is cracking your cane.

[majorvices]

FYI - I get no bubble. And I have cracked the cane before but it is not a weekly occurrence.   These things don;t last forever, either. Usually mine lasts about a year to 18 months before it needs replaced.

[shea-arne]

Been reading that people have been having mixed experiences with their auto syphon... I've never used one myself, but i've seen here that an air bubble sometimes forms in the hose. My question is if this little airbubble in the hose is enough to "oxidize" the beer. Seems to me that that amount of O2 is quite minimal and shouldnt have a detectable affect on the beer. At least not enough to oxidize the beer within a couple of weeks... i would think!

If thats the case, this little staling beer problem seems to be a little mystery to me! Please keep us posted on how future batches turn out, wingnut!

If the problem is due to something in the brewing/fermenting process, or moving of the beer, it would be a little silly in spending a bunch of money on kegging equipment if the end result turns out the same. I currently only bottle my beers, and they have a shelf of about a year and counting. Dont think kegging will be a quick fix for this problem.

[bonjour]

I can assure you that that little bubble of air has a pronounced oxidized impact on my big beers, in the MOST delightful way, and within a few weeks.  Develops luscious dark fruit and sherry notes.

Though this goes against everything I was ever taught about beer.

Fred