EDME Bitter ... Fermenter woes..

[maxashton]

Did an EDME Bitter on Saturday. Didn't upload my pics anywhere yet, but they weren't very good.

Main problem was the tap fell to bits when i opened it up to take a gravity sample. Gushed wort everywhere. Once again, i had to stick my arm in there to tighten it, as i couldn't grip it with the beer paddle. The wort doesn't appear to be infected, i had a good (and plesant smelling) fermentation going when i checked it this morning.

Can anyone reccomend me a decent tap? It's a quickserve type on there at the moment, but i want something a bit more solid.

Max

[steve_flack]

The wort doesn't appear to be infected,

It's probably to early to tell.

[maxashton]

Yeah. I gave my arm a rub down with pure betadine and rinsed in boiled (cooled!) water, so i did what i could. As you say, time will tell.

[maxashton]

Yeah, i was thinking about the drum tap. It sucks because it means my primary FV is unreliable. i do NOT want to have to start using racking canes again, i hate the damn things.

[StrangeBrew]

Hi DaaB, how does the drum tap come apart? I didn't realise they did.

[oxford brewer]

DaaB beat me to it but here's the post anyway

Get i knife under the top of the tap and gently prise the cap upwards.Then you can turn the tap as if you were opening it and the tap will come apart leaving you with 3 pieces.Be careful when you reassemble as i think the tap has the possibility of being put back together incorrectly and is very tight or wont seal ok if it is!

[StrangeBrew]

Thanks chaps...you learn something new every day!:D