For the Speidel fermenter owners out there…do you use the optional valve instead of the cap?
How do you like it compared to just using a standard racking cane?
I use the 30L model for my 5 gallon batches and always use the valve to drain into a keg. I do see a few little chunky bits go through the line when I first start transferring, but at worst it means the first pint from the tap is a bit cloudy, which is fine with me. HomeBrewTalk member BSD_Glass wrote a post describing how to build a rotating racking arm for a Spiedel fermentor here: http://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=449546&page=3. That setup might help reduce the amount of yeast/trub during transfer.
I don’t have Speidel equip but I do have fermenters with spigots. On the inside they point down so yeast/trub does not get into them. Invert Tube Backnut I prefer using the spigots over a racking cane. Much easier to operate and clean IMO.
I once owned a 60L Speidel and used the spigot every time, it was super convenient and way better than a standard racking cane.
I sold it because it was too heavy when full to lift in/out of my chamber.
I use the Speidel spigot. It is very fast. It does grab some trub, but, it’s only enough to foul up the first pint out of the keg. Frankly, I am not very talented with the autosiphon. I get about the same amount of trub using it.
I use the speidels and I use the spigot. Not worried about a little yeast it may pick up. You’ll pick up a little when you siphon, too. I normally rack into half barrel kegs, let settle out as a bright tank then rack to sixtels. You could do the same thing with cornies and if you aren’t planning on moving you could blow out most of your yeast in a pint or two and have crystal clear beer for the rest of the keg.
I too use the spigot. I dump the very first tiny bit, take a hydrometer sample, then transfer.
Autosyphon here
What happened to your Turkey baster?
That works too. But I bought another autosyphon and got it to quit leaking this time. So I have been using that
I finally got around to using my 30L Speidel fermentation vessel for the first time after owning it for the better part of a year. I used the solid cap, but I would not hesitate to use the cap with the valve if I was not running a yeast experiment.
Not sure how using the valve would negatively impact the yeast in the fermentor.