Sucking my siphon

[jonnymorris]

Not a euphemism but with all I've read about cleanliness and sterilisation I'm guessing I shouldn't be give the siphon a suck to get it going?

Am I going to have to invest in an auto siphon (one with a pump) or is there another low tech solution?

 

[evanvine]

Been "sucking" syphons for years, no probs what so ever.
Sometimes you even get to taste the brew!

 

[The Goatreich]

The first time I syphoned a brew I got a gob full of beer. Unfortunately my brain told me this was petrol due to many years syphoning petrol between motorbikes as a kid and I spat the lot out, straight in to the secondary FV!

Luckily I managed to stop the flow, and wash out the FV.

 

[Wolverine]

just suck it it's never given me an infection ....
I can see this thread going downhill fast ha ha

 

[jonnymorris]

I too have been using this method to get the siphon going for years. It is only since joining this forum that I've become perhaps a bit paranoid about cleanliness or should I say, conscious of the overriding importance of cleanliness.

It's the possibility of infecting the brew that I'm concerned about, not getting a mouth full of beer.

 

[BrewDan]

I have not had an issue doing it this way, invested in the bigger version of the auto siphon, but that's only because I didn't want to sit there for hours using the smaller siphon that's better suited to a demijohn sized batch.

 

[DaveMack]

I suck and swallow never had a problem with infections

 

[BrewDan]

I suck and swallow never had a problem with infections

Bahaha, :shock::grin:

 

[evanvine]

Saliva is actually mildly disifectant!

 

[oldstout]

Surely it's one of the exciting parts of brewing - getting that first taste of your brew?

 

[shocker]

If it worries you then brush your teeth and mouthwash first . That and put an inline tap in the hose and have a short length of tube that you attach and use to get the syphon working to the tap , turn tap off which hold the liquid in syphon and attach the length that goes into your bottles/FVs whatever . Obviously sanitising all parts between uses .

 

[jonnymorris]

So, reading between the sarcasm, I shouldn't be concerned. Thanks.

 

[klaus]

Been sucking for years - never caused a problem.
Lately, to make things easier I fill the syphon first with water then insert into FV, let the water run into a jug then start bottling or kegging, the bottling stick is so useful.

 

[shocker]

Johhny , I wasnt being at all sarcastic . If I was I would have used the smiley face method of indicating it . If its an issue to you and you feel its important I wouldnt mock it or you . The advice I gave is the method I use myself .

 

[evanvine]

Johhny , I wasnt being at all sarcastic

I think he was refering to the whole thread!
Thought it was quite amusing.

 

[jonnymorris]

...The advice I gave is the method I use myself .

You brush your teeth and use mouthwash before siphoning? Sounds like you're more paranoid than me.

I'm not offended by any of the sarcasm, I kind of left myself open to it with the OP.

I'll continue to give it a suck.

Cheers.

 

[shocker]

I live in a rural area surrounded by livestock so there is a LOT of wild stuff flying around in the air ....not to mention the overground sewer pipes . Paranoid ? In fact , yes.....I have a note from my doctor . And one from my mum excusing me games if its raining :grin:

 

[BeerEagle]

Don't want that mouthwash flavour in my beer, gargling with a good shot of vodka does it for me.

 

[Hollow Legs]

I suck on the syphon stop it and then spray the nozzle (end) with a Videne spray (no rinse) I have already made. I used to do what Klaus suggested by filling the syphon tube with water and holding the end then placing the tube in the wort and letting gravity do the rest.

 

[puravida]

Ha! Funny thread!
All you need to do is 'pre load' your syphon tube by filling it with water or star-San prior to siphoning. Have a bowl or pint glass on the floor next to your destination bucket or keg. Keep your thumb over either end until you are ready to syphon then run it into the spare bowl until you can see when the beer starts to run through and quickly move the end to where you want it.

Basically if your tube is full already then there is no need to suck etc. The syphon process will just start on its own providing you have a height difference in the vessels.