National Homebrew Club Ireland

Brewing Discussions => Equipment & Chemicals => Topic started by: imark on March 07, 2013, 09:42:48 AM

Title: What do you use to take samples from your fermenter?
Post by: imark on March 07, 2013, 09:42:48 AM
Title says it really. I use a turkey baster but it's not ideal. Saw a nice  thief (http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/3-piece-thief-plastic.html) on northern brewer but nothing like it available here that I can see.
Title: Re: What do you use to take samples from your fermenter?
Post by: Hop Bomb on March 07, 2013, 10:03:29 AM
I use the bottling tap near bottom of my fermentation buckets.
Title: Re: What do you use to take samples from your fermenter?
Post by: Jacob on March 07, 2013, 10:22:43 AM
Before started using refractometer and attached pipette was using sterilised gravy spoon.

(http://www.wenco.de/images/content/sortiment/haushaltswaren/vorlegeteile/508018_Saucenloeffel.jpg)
Title: Re: What do you use to take samples from your fermenter?
Post by: mr hoppy on March 07, 2013, 10:35:13 AM
I use the trial jar itself since I saw it suggested on another forum. Less to clean (so less chance of error) and I've had no issues doing so since I switched (maybe 18 months ago).
Title: Re: What do you use to take samples from your fermenter?
Post by: imark on March 07, 2013, 10:45:55 AM
I like the spoon approach for ease of cleaning and little risk of contamination.

Thinking about getting a refractometer too. I saw a few going on ebay for around €30. Like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/Worlds-Most-Accurate-0-32-Brix-Wort-Brew-Beer-DUAL-SCALE-Refractometer-/330829612938 Would they be good enough for the job.
Title: Re: What do you use to take samples from your fermenter?
Post by: Ciderhead on March 07, 2013, 10:55:28 AM
Let me ask you another question why do you need to take a sample out of the fermentor  :o ;) (Just puttin it out there loike)
If I am in a hurry to move something on, I use a refractometer (20dollars hong kong) and a plastic pipette and just steal a drop.  I still lick the sight glass after I've finished, waste not want not.
Title: Re: What do you use to take samples from your fermenter?
Post by: Taf on March 07, 2013, 11:03:10 AM
QuoteTitle says it really. I use a turkey baster but it's not ideal. Saw a nice  thief (http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/3-piece-thief-plastic.html) on northern brewer but nothing like it available here that I can see.

What do you think the issue is with the Turkey baster? This is what I use and I find it pretty convenient. I always drink the sample, so nothing goes back in. The process of using that thief doesn't look much different to how the baster works, except with the baster you expel air to get suction and on the thief you hold your thumb on the end to keep the liquid in?
Title: Re: What do you use to take samples from your fermenter?
Post by: Ciderhead on March 07, 2013, 11:06:37 AM
QuoteI don't, I do a satellite brew. i.e. I fill the trial jar with the fresh brew and cover it with tinfoil. I then just take gravities of it as fermentation progresses.

very clever and are results always identical to main fermenter?
Title: Re: What do you use to take samples from your fermenter?
Post by: imark on March 07, 2013, 11:09:04 AM
Call me a control freak! I just NEED to ok. ;D

Ideally, I'd like the brewpi with the proposed SG sensor to allow me to fully monitor and record progress of all my ferments.
Title: Re: What do you use to take samples from your fermenter?
Post by: Bubbles on March 07, 2013, 11:11:37 AM
I use a glass turkey baster, from KitchenCraft I think. Because it's glass, very easy to clean and sanitise.
Title: Re: What do you use to take samples from your fermenter?
Post by: imark on March 07, 2013, 11:14:12 AM
Quote
What do you think the issue is with the Turkey baster?

The baster works quite well but when you squeeze the bulb to expel the sample into the trial jar the nozzle tends to skew to one side. I have to take three dips with my baster to get enough to test ~80ml. So it can be a messy job but drinking the sample is a plus.
Title: Re: What do you use to take samples from your fermenter?
Post by: delzep on March 07, 2013, 11:18:07 AM
QuoteI don't, I do a satellite brew. i.e. I fill the trial jar with the fresh brew and cover it with tinfoil. I then just take gravities of it as fermentation progresses.

At what point do you do this? Straight after adding yeast? An hour later? Day later? Great idea!
Title: Re: What do you use to take samples from your fermenter?
Post by: JimmyM on March 07, 2013, 11:33:21 AM
Quotebrewpi with the proposed SG sensor

Hang on a minute the what now?

Whats the proposal, how are they going to electronically measure the SG?
Title: Re: What do you use to take samples from your fermenter?
Post by: imark on March 07, 2013, 11:47:34 AM
Gravity sensor is currently under development by ELko. See here (http://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/2129)
Title: Re: What do you use to take samples from your fermenter?
Post by: JimmyM on March 07, 2013, 11:55:27 AM
Doesnt say anything other than
"at its current stage of development has to do with a weight dangling from a string"
I read all your man's blog posts too.

Be interesting to know how he's doing it.
Title: Re: What do you use to take samples from your fermenter?
Post by: imark on March 07, 2013, 12:05:11 PM
Yeah. Not much detail on it except that reference. I'd say he's preoccupied with getting his parts shop up and running at the moment so may not materialize for a while (if at all). Still...I want!
Title: Re: What do you use to take samples from your fermenter?
Post by: Shane Phelan on March 07, 2013, 12:09:19 PM
I would definitely pay for one of those. I have a feeling thousands of other home-brewers would be the same. He is filing a patent so probably wont say much publicly until that is accepted.
Title: Re: What do you use to take samples from your fermenter?
Post by: DEMPSEY on March 07, 2013, 06:20:46 PM
Quote
QuoteI don't, I do a satellite brew. i.e. I fill the trial jar with the fresh brew and cover it with tinfoil. I then just take gravities of it as fermentation progresses.

At what point do you do this? Straight after adding yeast? An hour later? Day later? Great idea!
Did this in the past,works fine but you need to have the beer up and running so you get the same wort and yeast content right.
Title: Re: What do you use to take samples from your fermenter?
Post by: johnrm on March 08, 2013, 08:19:47 PM
I use a glass wine pipette to decant to my sample jar.
I had a stainless baster but herself started using it for Chickens etc.
Title: Re: What do you use to take samples from your fermenter?
Post by: Ciderhead on March 08, 2013, 08:35:45 PM
Quote
I had a stainless baster but herself started using it for Chickens etc.

Insemination? or gravy ;D
Title: Re: What do you use to take samples from your fermenter?
Post by: johnrm on March 08, 2013, 08:51:20 PM
Hard to say.
It was slippery so I left it to her.
Title: Re: What do you use to take samples from your fermenter?
Post by: Ciderhead on March 08, 2013, 09:37:35 PM
QuoteHard to say.
It was slippery so I left it to her.

What :o
Title: Re: What do you use to take samples from your fermenter?
Post by: Dara on March 11, 2013, 08:53:35 PM
Hi,

I used a turkey baster at the beginning until it fell apart. Then just sanitised the hydrometer and dropped it and left it in the fermentor - works well once Krausen dies down but no fun if you like tasting as it ferments.  Got my hands on  3mm internal diameter silicone tubing which is great - sterilise by boiling in water and just syphon/drink straight from the fermentor like a straw!

Dara
Title: Re: What do you use to take samples from your fermenter?
Post by: Dara on March 12, 2013, 08:42:05 AM
Throw in a deck chair and you could stay by the pool all day.  ;)
Title: Re: What do you use to take samples from your fermenter?
Post by: DEMPSEY on March 12, 2013, 09:38:39 AM
OK is the 3mm internal diameter silicone tubing used to frustrate you as you sit on your deckchair. I can see you now going pure red in the face trying to suck a mouthful. :D
Title: Re: What do you use to take samples from your fermenter?
Post by: Ciderhead on March 12, 2013, 09:45:11 AM
I used to go out with a girl that ....
ba dump dump chshshshshshshsh try the veal, I'm here all week