Anyone else having Auto-siphon issues?

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by briggssteel, Jul 20, 2014.

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  1. briggssteel

    briggssteel Initiate (0) Apr 8, 2010 Ohio

    I had the smaller auto-siphon which worked very well for me but after a couple of years I decided it was time to replace it because I know you need to replace plastic after a while. I bought the larger auto-siphon that takes the half inch tube (I think half inch tube). Anyways, I go to siphon my beer yesterday and it starts sputtering and stops. I had to keep starting it again and it kept sputtering. I'm sure I introduced tons of oxygen in my beer which annoyed the crap out me of course. I'm assuming I either didn't have a tight enough seal or there's just too fast of a flow. I remember a large auto-siphon I had a while ago that did the same thing. I'd hate to get a new auto-siphon after just buying it, but I can't have it pumping oxygen into my beer during bottling as that defeats the whole purpose, plus I really don't care for how fast it pulls. It seems like it's more prone to suck yeast off the bottom. Anyone else have a similar experience and find the smaller auto-siphon to work much better?
     
    #1 briggssteel, Jul 20, 2014
  2. jivex5k

    jivex5k Initiate (0) Apr 13, 2011 Florida

    I'd say try a 3/8" tube on it. It's a bitch to get on but you can force it. Test it with water or star san.
     
    #2 jivex5k, Jul 20, 2014
  3. briggssteel

    briggssteel Initiate (0) Apr 8, 2010 Ohio

    That's a good call to test with water first. I should have done that. I guess I just assumed it would work.
     
    #3 briggssteel, Jul 20, 2014
  4. andy4523

    andy4523 Initiate (0) Jul 20, 2014 New Jersey

    A high flow can case a vacuum effect and suck in excess air if not completely sealed. Test on water and see where the air is getting sucked in from. In my case, I have to flare out the rubber on the cane part of the auto siphon.
     
    #4 andy4523, Jul 20, 2014
  5. ThomP

    ThomP Initiate (0) Nov 22, 2007 Texas

    I hate those things. Just a racking cane and tube and I'm good. Fill the tube with water and place cane in beer, tube in receptical and your golden.
     
    #5 ThomP, Jul 20, 2014
  6. jivex5k

    jivex5k Initiate (0) Apr 13, 2011 Florida

    I thought an auto siphon was a racking cane. How does a racking cane differ.
    Alright I just looked it up, an auto-siphon just starts the racking cane siphon. Doesn't seem like it would have any effect on introducing bubbles, that seems like an issue from having a tube hooked up to the racking cane with an ID larger than necessary.
     
    #6 jivex5k, Jul 20, 2014
    Last edited: Jul 20, 2014
  7. jivex5k

    jivex5k Initiate (0) Apr 13, 2011 Florida

    NOTE: It is highly recommended that you use 7/16" ID tubing with the 1/2" Auto-Siphon. Simply dip the tubing in warm water to soften it enough to slip over the end.
    Found on NB's site, looks like 3/8 would be a bit too small.
     
    #7 jivex5k, Jul 20, 2014
  8. DubbelMan

    DubbelMan Initiate (0) Mar 17, 2009 New York

    Most of the time the issues are onr of two things.
    The black rubber plunger is not sealing. -Solution. Soak it in hot(not boiling) water for 30 seconds, sanitize and
    assemble.

    The seal where you attach the hose to the cane is leaking. Solution. Use the proper size hose to fit. I use what NB recommends for it. Not all 1\2 in tubingg is the same. Also soak the first few inches of the hose in hot water then assembe. Note if you do this it will be a bear to remove. Heat the hose again to help expand it. Do NOT pull to hard on the cane-it will break! Cut the house if it won't come off.

    These are my experience. YMMV.

    Cheers!
     
    #8 DubbelMan, Jul 20, 2014
  9. ThomP

    ThomP Initiate (0) Nov 22, 2007 Texas

    no pumping on a racking cane, every time I have used the auto-siphon the tube pops out of my bucket and instant mess. I suppose I could just secure the tube in the bucket. I just like my plain old racking cane.
     
    #9 ThomP, Jul 20, 2014
  10. briggssteel

    briggssteel Initiate (0) Apr 8, 2010 Ohio

    Another question. Since this beer will almost certainly be oxidized from my auto-siphon issues, how long will it take for that oxidation to be noticeable? I'm just wondering if I can drink it before it really starts to set in.
     
    #10 briggssteel, Jul 20, 2014
  11. HerbMeowing

    HerbMeowing Maven (1,295) Nov 10, 2010 Virginia
    Trader

    Haven't had this experience with my AS which has been in service every other week for over five years.

    My solution: wrap a course of painter's tape around the cane's tip and a course around the tube/cane connection.
     
    #11 HerbMeowing, Jul 21, 2014
  12. psychotia

    psychotia Pundit (857) Jun 27, 2009 Wisconsin

    This has happened to me twice now, in fact the second time being an hour ago as I racked to bottle a saison. The first time (brown ale) occurred 3 months ago and I've yet to taste any signs of oxidation in it. Just hoping my much lighter saison can stand up long enough to see me through the end of the summer...
     
    #12 psychotia, Jul 21, 2014
  13. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,057) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    If you can't trace the origin of the air to a leak in the tubing connections, etc. then the next thing to suspect that the receiving container is not far enough below the origin container. It's a pretty basic thought but I'll mention it anyway.
     
    #13 PapaGoose03, Jul 21, 2014
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