18 replies to this topic

[dannyboy]

Just broke a Fermtech wine thief. In searching, all I could find were plastic or glass thieves. Anyone know where to get something more robust? I've seen commercials with vinters and distillers holding pretty high qual-looking sample-takers.I use carboys exclusively and don't rely on OG very often, but now I can't take samples very easily. Also, alternative method suggestions would be great.Thanks!

[Kunsan90]

Not as fancy as a thief, but I use a turkey baster.

[MakeMeHoppy]

I use carboys exclusively and don't rely on OG very often, but now I can't take samples very easily. Also, alternative method suggestions would be great.Thanks!

How did you break it? I can't think of a direct replacement and I don't know how you get a turkey baster down far enough. At times I have thought of just pouring a sample out into a marked cup so I know how much OR attaching the hydrometer to a thread or dental floss. I never did either.

[dannyboy]

How did you break it? I can't think of a direct replacement and I don't know how you get a turkey baster down far enough. At times I have thought of just pouring a sample out into a marked cup so I know how much OR attaching the hydrometer to a thread or dental floss. I never did either.

Well, I'm trying to get a sample and the little plunger/stopper is stuck in the open position. I let it drain, and instead of using thinking and pulling said stopper out, I decided to 'lightly tap' the thief on the sink. Broke the whole dispenser end off, plus cracked the tube... Didn't think I hit it that hard..I've used a turkey baster with wonderful results, but wanted the reach of a thief.After the break, I used a racking cane and the pre-pubescent plugged straw method. It worked, but took awhile. I'll probably just get another plastic one (and use it properly). I guess I'm a sucker for cool-looking gear and some of the old school thieves look awesome.

[EWW]

Not as fancy as a thief, but I use a turkey baster.

SS Baster I love this, and it is a lot more affordable then a ss thief.

[Brian72]

Turkey baster here as well.

[Dave]

SS Baster I love this, and it is a lot more affordable then a ss thief.

How long is it?This might be what I'm looking for if it'll reach far into the carboy...

[DrunkenPanther]

SS Baster I love this, and it is a lot more affordable then a ss thief.

Thanks! I've been looking for one of those to take samples of my buggy beers. Then I can just bake the crap out of it to kill the critters.

[dannyboy]

SS Baster I love this, and it is a lot more affordable then a ss thief.

Wow! Pretty cool. SS baster and new thief it is. Thanks for all the help!I did some more snooping around and the SS thieves I found would run about 100 bones, delivered. At my current brewing level, I don't think I will justify that cost.

[DuncanDad]

Turkey baster with a bit of tubing on the end. Gets down in any carboy.I got mine from the Dolla Sto-a

[orudis]

Yet another advantage to using plastic buckets- I reach in with a sanitized measuring cup.

[MyaCullen]

I use the auto-syphon bottom half.

[zymot]

I use a pipette.https://morebeer.com.../Pipette_10_ml_I forget what size it is. Easy to sanitize. Samples are easy to draw. You waste less beer.I use it with a refractometer. On fermented wort, I use the refractometer more as a delta meter or a "OG has stopped going down" meter.zymot

[dannyboy]

Turkey baster with a bit of tubing on the end. Gets down in any carboy.I got mine from the Dolla Sto-a

Another example of using thinking. Why can't it happen to me?

[MakeMeHoppy]

Another example of using thinking. Why can't it happen to me?

Now I see how a baster can be used. My only question is how many times do you typically need to pull some wort with the baster and put in a sampling jar. I would assume it would take a couple tries to get enough wort for the hydrometer sample.

[Recklessdeck]

I don't get why anyone would buy anything special to take a sample with. I've always used , wait for it...Vinyl Tubing! Unbreakable! Cheap! Ubiquitous!

[ColdAssHonky]

I don't get why anyone would buy anything special to take a sample with. I've always used , wait for it...Vinyl Tubing! Unbreakable! Cheap! Ubiquitous!

You're crazy man.

[DuncanDad]

Now I see how a baster can be used. My only question is how many times do you typically need to pull some wort with the baster and put in a sampling jar. I would assume it would take a couple tries to get enough wort for the hydrometer sample.

Only takes a couple of times. It's not like I'm building the Great Pyramids of Geza here.

[zymot]

Turkey baster with a bit of tubing on the end. Gets down in any carboy.I got mine from the Dolla Sto-a

You could get a turkey baster from Melissa Etheridge. I understand she has a spare she isn't using anymore.