Bottling beer

[Jim Brewster]

I siphon from the fermentation vessel with a bottling wand on the end but find I have to get the siphon going first and then attach the wand which is a bit of a faff, I just do the first bottle without the wand on the end and then fit it on as quickly as possible once the first bottle is full. In time I will move to a bottling bucket with a tap on the bottom.

 

[Drunkula]

I have to get the siphon going first and then attach the wand which is a bit of a faff

Can't you suck on the bottling wand while pushing in the plunger with your tongue, then dip the end in sanitiser?

 

[stan.distortion]

I siphon from the fermentation vessel with a bottling wand on the end but find I have to get the siphon going first and then attach the wand which is a bit of a faff, I just do the first bottle without the wand on the end and then fit it on as quickly as possible once the first bottle is full. In time I will move to a bottling bucket with a tap on the bottom.

A quick and dirty way of making siphoning easier, fill the tube with water first. With a bit of practice you can avoid getting any water in the beer when you put the tube in and then siphon the first bit into a glass until the beer comes through. I always decant wine from demiohns to bottles that way, avoids getting any mouth nasties on the siphon tube.
EDIT: I don't use a wand or tap for wine either, just raise the end of the siphon tube above the level of the wine in the demijohn and flow stops. Ok for 5 or 6 wine bottles but a wand makes life a lot easier with dozens of beer bottles.

 

[dwhite60]

Can't you suck on the bottling wand while pushing in the plunger with your tongue, then dip the end in sanitiser?

I put a pinch clamp on the hose, suck on the hose to get the siphon started, clamp the hose when the fluid gets to it, then insert the bottling wand.

Been doing this for years.

 

[531Man]

Quote:
'Can't you suck on the bottling wand while pushing in the plunger with your tongue, then dip the end in sanitiser?'
Drunkula, that sounds positively pornographic.
Wash your mouth out with carbolic and clean up.

 

[Petrolhead]

Currently I am brewing 25/26 litre batches, filling a corny and the remainder in bottles. As I have one of those cheap eBay electric pumps, £15 or so, I pop the pipe into the FV well above the bottom and the outlet end at the bottom of the corny. Switch on and a nice easy fill with minimum oxygen.

As I approach full I pinch the outlet hose, raise it, insert into the bottom of the first bottle, fill, repeat. It is a very calm bottling session and works for me.

 

[Scottyburto]

Comprehensive bottling video.

 

[Pantat]

Thanks to all who told me where to obtain a bottling wand.
In the end bought a 'ProFiller' from Amazon.