How do you chaps...

[EccentricDyslexic]

Draw off fermented beer from the FV for the purposes of checking the SG? I cant seem to risk sucking on a syphon tube in order to draw off a 100mls or so every day...seems risky to me...suppose i'm paranoid about getting an infection!

Do you use FVs with taps? or just suck on a tube? whats your method?

Cheers chaps

steve

[Andy]

I use a refractometer and a sanitised pipette, only need a couple of drops of beer

[Capped]

I use a refractometer and a sanitised pipette, only need a couple of drops of beer

My method is far more technically advanced - I just put the hydrometer in the ale right after pitching,then occasionally lift the lid for a peek !

[6470zzy]

I use a refractometer and a sanitised pipette, only need a couple of drops of beer

+1 on the refractometer Andy, that is my Modus operandi as well

[WishboneBrewery]

I use a refractometer and a sanitised pipette, only need a couple of drops of beer

So how does the refractometer work then? I remember them being used at a previous job where a Polishing agent was diluted and checked with one.

[OldSpeckledBadger]

Do you use FVs with taps? or just suck on a tube? whats your method?

I sanitise the hydrometer, put in the FV and leave it in there until the beer's finished fermenting.

[Spikesdad]

What the kinells a refractometer? Sounds too technofied to me

[EccentricDyslexic]

Must buy a refractometer! But like the idea of just leaving it in the FV...i have now done just that! Thanks chaps!

Next question... do you chaps have taps on your FVs? Ive just run me second AG in to a cornie, but had to suck on the tube to get a siphon going, which strikes me as not ideal because of infections and stuff. Should i fit a tap?

STeve

[Horatio]

I use a sampling tube; it's like an over sized bottling stick. You stick the hydro in it and then put the tube in the wort and it fills up from the bottom (after sterilising of course). That way I can see the clarity of the wort and check the gravity. I then drain the tube into a glass for tasting

For racking I use a tube with an inline tap fitted. On the end of the tap I put a short length (6 inch) of syphon tube. I suck on the short length until wort reaches the tap, close the tap, remove the short length of tube and replace with a longer length, place the tube low into the vessel and open the tap. I also use a satinless steel racking cane that I had made for me and that goes onto the wort end of the tubing. If this all makes sense?? If not let me know and I will post some pictures; not saying it's the best method but it works for me

[6470zzy]

What the kinells a refractometer? Sounds too technofied to me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaonMYRODks

That will give you a quick description and comparison

Cheers

[EccentricDyslexic]

Another thing i struggle with is the stiff bit of pipe that you stick in the beer, it has a plug in the bottom and two holes about an inch up, bloody thing keeps moving about as im trying to keep it still, does anyone use anything to hold it in place?

Horatio, have you thought about using tap instead?

Steve

[OldSpeckledBadger]

The plastic syphon u-bends to tend to float a bit (the old glass ones were much better in that respect). I've seen syphon clips advertised which I believe are supposed to help keep them in place but I've never used one so I can't say how effective they are. I just loop the syphon tube under the FVs handle, which does the trick for me. I have considered weighting the u-bend with a small SS hose clip.

[mysterio]

I've got one of those heavy duty plastic FVs with a plastic spigot a couple of inches from the bottom. Honestly i'd find it difficult to brew without that spigot.

[tubthumper]

doesnt GW mention in one of his books to get a stainless steel brake pipe and use that on end of tube with a bulldog clip to stop tube moving about

[Billy Hunt]

This is what we use in the print trade.