BetterBottle Racking Adaptors

[TonyP]

I visited my local wine making retailer for a carboy and noticed they had a BetterBottle racking system called SimpleFlo. The product is a ported carboy with the port low enough (slightly tilted) to allow racking using something called a SimpleFlo valve and racking adaptor. Is anyone familiar with this product and can tell me if it is worthwhile. I'm a small production guy and this would replace typical siphoning and possibly make bottling somewhat easier. I'm skeptical because I figured I'd see more of this if it were as good as it appears.

Tony P.

 

[Rocky]

Tony, I think you mean something like what Midwest Supplies carries. They have both the 5 and 6 gallon setups. It seems to me like it would work fine. The only caution I would have is if you plan to bulk age in plastic there are supposedly some downsides. I do not bulk age in other than glass, so I have no experience or opinion on that.

 

[shoebiedoo]

I'm not aware of any downsides to bulk aging in better. Bottles. I aged (although it was only for 3 months) an Amerone in abetter bottle with no ill affects.

 

[TonyP]

Thanks for the prompt postings. I'm primarily interested I n hearing about the racking feature.
Tony

 

[Rocky]

The "racking feature" just seems to be merely a spigot at the bottom of the BB. I don't see it as any different in effect than having a spigot on a fermenting bucket (I have one on both of my buckests), fermenting to dry in the bucket, then racking through the spigot. I have done this primarily with white wines (less sediment and no grape pack) and it works well. One thing I would recommend is to make sure it comes assembled. From the "assembly tool" and the photo on Midwest Supplies' website, it looks like it could be a bear to assemble. Also, you will want to clean out the spigot on some regular basis so you will need to disassemble and reassemble it. (I think I am talking myself out of using this thing!) On the plus side, it looks like it would be nice for bottling a cleared wine.

 

[Arne]

If you are having trouble starting your siphon, get one of the orange carboy caps. They will fit both the better bottles and the glass carboys. Get a racking cane and put in the middle hole in the orange cap. Instert into the carboy with the end on it that keeps the sediment out to the bottom. Put your siphon hose on the end of the racking cane. Blow into the other opening on the orange cap. Make sure the end of your siphon hose is in the receiving vessel before blowing. If you have a bottling wand on, you will have to push down on it while blowing to start the siphon. It is easier and faster to to than it is to read this. Arne.

 

[jswordy]

If you are having trouble starting your siphon, get one of the orange carboy caps. They will fit both the better bottles and the glass carboys. Get a racking cane and put in the middle hole in the orange cap. Instert into the carboy with the end on it that keeps the sediment out to the bottom. Put your siphon hose on the end of the racking cane. Blow into the other opening on the orange cap. Make sure the end of your siphon hose is in the receiving vessel before blowing. If you have a bottling wand on, you will have to push down on it while blowing to start the siphon. It is easier and faster to to than it is to read this. Arne.

+1 on the caps! I have a few of them. They will also work with gallons - just put the two holes over the opening and press down on the cap to seal while you get things started. The cane will be held above the lees by the cap, even if it is not fitted over the lip of the gallon jug. They are cheap and effective. And they keep your lips off the end of the siphon tube...much more sanitary! I can't figure why they don't automatically include one in every kit.

 

[Arne]

Thanks, Jim. Never thought about trying them on a gallon. I have a small version of it with a double drilled bung that I always used on the gallons. Have a friend of mine that is always borrowing my gal. siphoning thing, will have to tell him about the orange cap way. Arne.

 

[New_Guy_Brad]

If you are having trouble starting your siphon, get one of the orange carboy caps. They will fit both the better bottles and the glass carboys. Get a racking cane and put in the middle hole in the orange cap. Instert into the carboy with the end on it that keeps the sediment out to the bottom. Put your siphon hose on the end of the racking cane. Blow into the other opening on the orange cap. Make sure the end of your siphon hose is in the receiving vessel before blowing. If you have a bottling wand on, you will have to push down on it while blowing to start the siphon. It is easier and faster to to than it is to read this. Arne.

Just a fwiw with the orange caps. After a little thinking on them instead of putting it on the carboy your siphoning from (blowing your breath into the carboy that still possibly could cause bacteria to go into it) why not put it on the one your siphoning into? so you would put the hose in the center and another hose out of the 2nd hole and suck on it to get the flow started.

With this method none of your breath (and potentially bacteria) contacts the wine ever. ill make up a little diagram in case that was confusing. (yes my paint drawing skills are poor but you should get the point)

View attachment carboy diagram.bmp

 

[Arne]

Just a fwiw with the orange caps. After a little thinking on them instead of putting it on the carboy your siphoning from (blowing your breath into the carboy that still possibly could cause bacteria to go into it) why not put it on the one your siphoning into? so you would put the hose in the center and another hose out of the 2nd hole and suck on it to get the flow started.

With this method none of your breath (and potentially bacteria) contacts the wine ever. ill make up a little diagram in case that was confusing. (yes my paint drawing skills are poor but you should get the point)

You can go that route too. Basically like when you hook up your vac. pump. If you are gonna try and rack into a 5 gal. carboy, tho, you best be ready to suck in a big lungful of air. There is a lot of volume there. Actually I always kinda liked starting the siphon just sucking on the end of the hose. Gives you an accidental excuse for tasting the wine. LOL, Arne.

 

[vacuumpumpman]

In case anyone is intrested I sell the bungs that fit most all carboy necks for either vacuum or like you mentioned about creating a postive pressue causing a siphon.Tapered Stopper #6.5 - 2 HOLE - Pure White $5.00 + $3.00 shipping = total of 8.00 dollars
It does come with 1/4'' od 90 deggree fitting - not shown and your racking cane goes in the middle

http://allinonewinepump.com/accessories.html

Valley Vitner is asking 18.75 dollars for 1