Bottling stick - bubbles

[Andy]

OK so last night I racked my latest brew into cornie from KingKeg conditioning tank. I used a syphon system with the cornie end fitted with a valved bottling stick ( http://www.the-home-brew-shop.co.uk/item1071.htm ). The intention being to fill some bottles at the same time.

However as soon as I started the flow the beer in the syphon tube had a very gassy appearance and a large amount of bubbles were forming in the cornie. I guess this was either air getting into the system (not sure how) or possibly conditioning CO2 coming out of solution (doubt it as the KK wasn't under much pressure when conditioning). The gassy effect seemed to take place about half way along the syphon tube (it has no leak!).

I stopped the syphon and removed the stick pretty sharpish and hope that the "gas" introduced initially isn't detrimental to the rest of the brew....

Any ideas what was going on ?

[PieOPah]

My guess would be that it is small amounts of CO2 in the liquid.

If there are tiny scratches or blemishes inside the pipe then this will cause a small amount of friction. This could be enough to knock out the gas from the liquid.

Just a guess mind you so don't take it for granted!

[Andy]

Thanks PoP.

It did seem to go away when I removed the bottling stick, perhaps it was providing a flow restriction which caused the CO2 to come out of solution ?

I believe DaaB has used these sticks before, had any similar issues matey ?

[PieOPah]

I've never used a bottling stick (something I have been interested in but think my tap is the wrong size) so not sure how this would act.

[tribs]

I use this bottle filler from the home brew shop in Farnham. I actually use it with 3/8" tubing and use the red fermenter taps (so you should have no problems PoP ).

I don't have any problems with it and like you planned to do Andy, fill a few bottles and a cornie from each batch.

As long as the seal between the tap and tubing and the bottler and tubing is good and the tip is below the level of the beer you will not be sucking in air. I usually press the valve sideways against the inside of the neck of the bottle or side of the cornie so the beer dribbles out down the side until there is enough in the bottom to submerge the tip. I also vary the drop to control the pressure when filling the more fiddly bottles. I do sometimes get bubbles in the tubing and the occasional burst of bubbles in the cornie. I think PoPs explanation is probably correct. The added pressure causing more bubbles to come out of solution when using the bottler.

[Vossy1]

Ditto Tribs

[PieOPah]

I use this bottle filler from the home brew shop in Farnham. I actually use it with 3/8" tubing and use the red fermenter taps (so you should have no problems PoP ).

I might invest in a bottle filler. I have already planned on using a bottling bucket so that my priming is easier.

Currently I put sugar in each bottle and add boiling water and mix it up but this takes me so long and I hate that process. Thought that if I was to use a bottling bucket it would be fairly quick and easy.

[tribs]

Currently I put sugar in each bottle and add boiling water and mix it up but this takes me so long and I hate that process. Thought that if I was to use a bottling bucket it would be fairly quick and easy.

Don't count on it. Bottling is just one of those labours of love

It is easier with a bottling bucket and bottle filler though. I've got the process quite well nailed down now, but I've not bottled a whole batch for quite some time

[PieOPah]

I think that my biggest problem is turning the tap off in time to avoid spillages. Am I correct in thinking that with the bottle filler, this automatically stops the flowwhen lifted off the bottom of the bottle? That alone would make bottling easier!

In fact I think that he worst part would be the cleaning!!!

[Vossy1]

Am I correct in thinking that with the bottle filler, this automatically stops the flowwhen lifted off the bottom of the bottle?

Yep

[PieOPah]

Think it is time to invest in a bottle filler then

Will wait until my next order though

[Andy]

Cheers chaps! Sounds like my beer will be OK then

Had two leftover pints so quality control duties had to be performed and very nice it was too!

[DaveR]

[quote="DaaB"]PoP...the bottling stick has a little needle valve that opens when pushed against the bottom of the bottle, it shuts again when released. Very handy
[/quote]

Hi,

I'm new to the forum but have been brewing kits for a couple of years - mostly good results but have to agree that using sugar instead of spraymalt is not good. I've got 2 barrels but occasionally I bottle up a Brewferm Belgian beer - so how does this bottling stick thingy work? (apart from the little valve). How does it attach to the fermenting bin - can't seem to find any clear pictures on the web. Hopefully it will stop me sucking on the siphon tube and then sticking my finger over the end to stop the flow!.

Thanks,
Dave

[Andy]

The stick fits on the end of your syphon tubing and you just insert the stick into the bottle you want to fill and press down such that the needle valve starts the flow, when full just pull the stick up and the valve stops. It doesn't help you atart a syphon flow!

[PieOPah]

Firstly, as you should be aware, sucking on the syphon tube is a big nono.

Instead, fill with a sanitized solution (eg boiled water) and stopper the end. You finger is good enough as long as clean and sanitized. Personally I have a tap which I put on my syphon tube.

When you syphon, the filled tube will automatically start drawing your beer for you instead of you needing to suck.

Next, the bottling stick would go onto the syphon tube. Some people have taps on their fermenter and put the tube on the tap and the stick on the tube. Some people may be even luckier and the bottling stick will fir their tap.