Reddit reviews FastRack Fermtech Large (0.5-Inch) Auto Siphon, Clear (COMINHKPR02725)
We found 5 Reddit comments about FastRack Fermtech Large (0.5-Inch) Auto Siphon, Clear (COMINHKPR02725). Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Made of plasticStarts with one stroke, and designed specifically for carboysSiphon dimensions 1/2" diameter; uses 7/16" ID vinyl tubingExtra-large design improves siphoning speed
Since I actually find the links in the sidebar to be fairly unhelpful, at least for someone as detail oriented as me as a beginner, and I'm still enough of a beginner to remember how hard it was to get started, I'll go ahead and give you a start here.
Equipment needed
Equipment Wanted If you think you'll get really into this, here's some equipment that I have that I feel makes life a lot easier.
Ingredients Needed
To Brew a Mead
NOTE If you're making a 1 gallon batch, you can put your batch directly into your jug carboy and shake instead of stir. You can also use a balloon instead of an airlock. I recommend sanitizing a food-grade funnel to put all your ingredients in if that's the case. To make smaller batches - just divide everything in my recipe (except the yeast, always just use 1 packet of that regardless of the batch size) by 6.5x. For example - for a 1 gallon batch you would use 1.5 cups of pumpkin mash instead of 10.5 cups. etc etc etc.
As time goes by
When I brew in bulk, I do like the beer homebrew folk do and use an auto-siphon with a bottle filler attachment. The siphon goes into the bucket, held just above the bottom to avoid the dead yeast, and stays far enough below the surface to (mostly) avoid the yeast strands, everything staying still and not mixed around. When a strand does sneak through, it gets caught in the bottle filler tip and can be easily wiggled out if problematic. It makes filling bottles extremely clean and simple. But unless you're brewing 3+ gallons in a single container, it's probably not worth the effort and I end up just using strainer + funnel.
these work really good also when you need to move water with less effort.
I'm planning to replace my auto siphon tubing with silicone. But I need more tubing right now, so I need to pick up some vinyl tubing from Lowes/HD.
I typically use the large, half inch siphon. Currently, I use what's recommended, the 7/16" ID tubing. But I don't think I can find that at Lowes/HD. I know I can get 5/16" ID, but I think that would be too small, even with boiling/heating it to soften it. Is my best option to use 1/2" ID and just use a hose clamp with it?? Thanks.
ETA: I can also get 3/8" ID if that's a possibility.
Might want to invest in one of these too:
http://www.amazon.com/Fermtech-Large-0-5-Inch-Auto-Siphon/dp/B001D6KGRW/ref=sr_1_2?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1421767516&sr=1-2&keywords=auto+siphon+homebrew
Will make racking/bottling a lot easier.