To spigot or not to spigot (bottling question)

[Gavin Callaghan]

Hi,

Completed my first bottling day and reading up on it beforehand, I was kicking myself for not getting a spigot on the bottling bucket. I used an autosiphon with wand attached as that's what the HBS had in. Aside from a little trouble getting the flow started it went surprisingly well! I did need an extra pair of hands (my wife) to put the caps on until I could crown them later, but I am wondering if the extra contamination risk (and extra cleaning) of having a spigot is worth it? Anyone have any strong feelings either way?

 

[GerritT]

What is easier to clean: a spigot or an autosiphon?
The spigot gets to soak in sanitiser and some quality time in the dishwasher, the siphon, not so much. Plus with the spigot one only needs 2 hands to fill the bottles, except for the last part, where the bucket needs some tilting without yeasty nastiness.

But other members have other opinions, even wether to use a bottling bucket, again from a hygiene point of view.

 

[Rodcx500z]

Hi Gavin I have 3 fv's 2 with spigots 1 without that get used for barrel only the one's with spigots are for bottles but only because it is like Gerrit says easier

 

[chrisb8]

I definitely find having a tap on the bottling bucket is much easier. No worries about trying to start a siphon, less tubing hanging around and needing cleaning after and I find that the flow is a lot quicker which speeds up the process. And a bottling wand is a must too.

Regards cleaning and sanitising, I just run the cleaner and sanitiser through the tap as I clean the bucket.

 

[Ghillie]

Tap from a bottling bucket without a doubt. I rack to kegs with an auto siphon but can't imagine how horrible it would be with a little bottler.

 

[DavidDetroit]

I probably would do a spigot on the bottling bucket if I had a bottling bucket with a spigot. Since my wife happily attends the auto-siphon on bottling day, it's a moot point. As far as cleaning the auto-siphon, I haven't had a problem--just rinse well right after use to remove all particles and then Starsan. Starsan again on bottling day.
Funny story about the auto-siphon. The very first time I used one, I hadn't read the directions and used the auto-siphon, literally, as a pump to transfer 5 gallons (21 liters?) from the primary (FV) to a secondary. Took about a thousand pumps (splash, splash, splash) as I re-oxygenated an already fermented batch (something one should never do). The beer turned out fine which showed me not to get too upset about oxygen for the level of brewing that I do.
I don't use a secondary now and I learned that pumping the top piece one to one and a half times (gently) is enough to coax the auto-siphon to start a flow.

 

[Rodcx500z]

I probably would do a spigot on the bottling bucket if I had a bottling bucket with a spigot. Since my wife happily attends the auto-siphon on bottling day, it's a moot point. As far as cleaning the auto-siphon, I haven't had a problem--just rinse well right after use to remove all particles and then Starsan. Starsan again on bottling day.
Funny story about the auto-siphon. The very first time I used one, I hadn't read the directions and used the auto-siphon, literally, as a pump to transfer 5 gallons (21 liters?) from the primary (FV) to a secondary. Took about a thousand pumps (splash, splash, splash) as I re-oxygenated an already fermented batch (something one should never do). The beer turned out fine which showed me not to get too upset about oxygen for the level of brewing that I do.
I don't use a secondary now and I learned that pumping the top piece one to one and a half times (gently) is enough to coax the auto-siphon to start a flow.

Hi David, I fitted my own using a spade bit (https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=spade+drill+bits&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=wIs8bPC_6mPnOM%3A%2Ctiv1-kVaTHVL_M%2C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kQu6gQiXxzXRwljDuj2Z9L4Fh3E0g&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiA7Lv9z47kAhXBYVAKHf3kB4AQ_h0wG3oECA0QCg&biw=2560&bih=1289#imgrc=wIs8bPC_6mPnOM:)just make sure to use the correct size and go easy, or use a cone cutter

 

[DavidDetroit]

@Rodcx500z
Those are great and would clearly do the job. The only thing missing with me is my interest in doing more than the basics though I did make a wort chiller but that was because buying 5 bags of ice annoyed me. I don't even keep control of my temps other than making sure the basement is between 60-70F plus pitching at a temp that won't kill the yeast.

 

[crowcrow]

I fitted a tap/spigot to my bottling bucket and found that flow was so much slower than from the syphon. For bottling this was a pain and so I only used one or twice before moving back to a syphon.

I keg now, and so plan in using that bucket again next time, as I can just open the tap and let it go (providing the volume fits!)

 

[WierdFish]

You normally only tighten the spigot hand tight, so removing it to clean (if you want to) isn't a problem and allows for stacking of FVs too. I usually clean the tap with the water in the FV by draining it.