Rigor, so I nave a batch of red ale that's ready to bottle but seeing as I'm using my new fermenter that doesn't have a tap I'm not fully sure what procedure to take? I have a syphon but will I need to syphon it to another vessel with a priming solution and then syphon it into the bottles from that? to used always transfer from my old bottling bucket which had a tap and bottling wand but alas they are hidden deep in my parents' house out of reach so not fully sure what to do... ::)
I syphon into a bottling bucket with priming sugar, give it 15 minutes then syphon straight into the bottles. It takes a bit of trial and error to get the fill level right but it's so much quicker and better on your back than a bottling wand. Just get a good pinch on the syphon tube so you can stop and start it easy enough between bottles.
Yes, you'll have to syphon the beer into the bottling bucket on top of the priming solution.
It sounds like your bottling bucket doesn't have a tap either? So yes, you have to syphon into bottles >:(
Clamp the syphon to the top of the bucket with a clothes peg or something.
It's horses for courses. If it were me, I'd wait until you get a tap for the bottling bucket. You're in Cork aren't you? I have a spare tap if you want to call out for it? If you bring the bucket out to me I'll drill the hole too? I'm out in Waterfall.
I bottled the other night using the bottling wand attached to the end of the syphon. If you can at least get a wand then you don't need a tap, if you have only a syphon then it'll be a pain in the ring.
Some siphons come with a valve as well for bottling purposes.
However the beer will be more agitated than with a bottling want (more O2 gets in).
Thanks for the replies. Garry, I'd really appreciate that, pm sent there :)
In future look for a special clip, that attaches to the rim of the bottling bucket, and holds your siphon tube in place. 2€ for a mountain of hassle saved (HBW stock them).
Bottling wand too, if you dont already have them.
I tried syphoning the beer into the bottling bucket today but nothing seemed to happen - it's one of those ones from the homebrew company with the red syphon tube and I'm wondering is it the syphon not working or me being an idiot? When I insert the outer tube with the syphoning tube in it into the FV and pump the liquid won't come up the tube at all. Been trying for an hour now and I'm worried that all this exposure to air might have contaminated the beer :-[
The buckets wouldn't be at the same height by any chance......
Nope, I've the bottling bucket is much lower down. Really worried I've just ruined my beer at this stage
Are u sure it's an auto syphon. Sounds as if you've got a regular syphon!
Just try suckin on the tube, did it come with a small plastic tube about 4" long. Stick it into the hose, get flow going then quickly remove.
Is this what you have
https://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/syphon-extendable-deluxe-p-770.html
Thank you Damo, that did just the trick - you sir, saved me from a near nervous breakdown! :P
Do yourself a favour and buy an auto siphon (and clip). So much handier
As Delzep says autosiphon all the way, there is more bacteria in your spit that on your toilet seat.
Lol ;D
Can picture ya pumpin away like a mad man!