New Rookie H-brewer

[KMalt]

Howdy all.

Just thought I'd post a thread announcing my new obsession with homebrewing. I've got my first batch (English Brown Ale) in the primary and just ordered the second batch (along with a carboy!) online today. Shhhh...the wife doesn't know yet.

This is an amazing website to go with an amazing hobby. I can't believe I waited this long to try it. Get ready for my rookie questions.

Here's the first:

Do I need one of those carboy tops with two openings? Do they help with siphoning? How do they work?

Thanks, and see you around!

[Payson]

Welcome to an obsession! As for the carboy top w/ 2 openings..... I use one like so: I put the airlock in the center hole and keep the second hole plugged during fermentation. When transfering to a bottling bucket you can put your racking cane in the center hole and force CO2 into the other hole and it'll force the liquid up the racking cane and start the siphon. Some people simply blow into the free hole and that'll do the same. A stopper with one hole works well too, you just can't start the siphon in the same fashion.

[toneyc]

You can do as Payson said, which works perfectly well, or you can get an autosiphon which works great in both the carboys *and* the plastic buckets. You can always wait and get one later, but you'll kick yourself after you find out how great this thing is.

:)
Toney.

[chris1kanobi]

Welcome. I am e-mailing your wife right now to tell her of her newly aquired debt. I really like the carboy caps. I struggled with the bungs not fitting, leaking, or being pushed in. I don't use mine during racking, but I wish I had these when I started brewing, it would have saved allot of ductape and coat hangers.

[Beerconnoisseur]

Autosiphon link (http://www.northernbrewer.com/siphon.html)

Oh, and get a handle for your carboy, too. Comes in very handy when you have to move it. You probably won't want to use your mouth for any brewing (sucking, blowing, etc.), as it is usually full of bacteria, which can ruin a batch.

I used rubber stoppers for my carboys, and haven't had any problems. You can find them, carboy handles, and other sources of distress for your significant other at MoreBeer (http://www.morebeer.com).

[KMalt]

Thanks guys, good advice. I ordered the carboy with a rubber stopper because I wasn't sure what the two-hole cap was for. Now I know. I guess I'll try the stopper for a while with traditional siphoning techniques.

[S.F.B.]

Welcome to the one thing I have found more addictive than caffeine. You should be able to get good info here. You'll also find that there is going to be more than one correct answer to most of your questions. Find what works for you and...

...relax and, well, you now the rest. :cool: