wine thief?

[Paul]

I cannot believe how simply obvious this was, but I have been using a turkey baster to draw samples out of my carboys (dj). Over a few years it must have gotten a terrible odor to it, much like vinegar. I suppose I could have been watching for this but it was not quite obvious. I had been rinsing with sulfite solution but apparently this was not enough for the rubber bulb. So I suppose I will need to invest in a proper wine thief. Just a small lesson learned.

Paul

[Tuco]

I don't have a wine thief and was going to buy a turkey baster, I think i'll invest in a proper wine thief, problem is, I have no HBS i can get to easily, and can't order offline for a while :s

[fatbloke]

I cannot believe how simply obvious this was, but I have been using a turkey baster to draw samples out of my carboys (dj). Over a few years it must have gotten a terrible odor to it, much like vinegar. I suppose I could have been watching for this but it was not quite obvious. I had been rinsing with sulfite solution but apparently this was not enough for the rubber bulb. So I suppose I will need to invest in a proper wine thief. Just a small lesson learned.

Paul

I don't have a wine thief and was going to buy a turkey baster, I think i'll invest in a proper wine thief, problem is, I have no HBS i can get to easily, and can't order offline for a while :s

The wine thief I have is a complete PITA. It fits inside some of my DJ's and not others.

Hence I've found that a baster is easier and a lot less hassle, but make sure that you get one with a bulb made of silicone, instead of rubber.

That way, it seems to be much easier to keep clean/sanitised. Plus because it's conical/narrowing in shape, it fit's into most DJ's without any problem.

Besides, you still have to keep a wine thief clean/sanitised so while some may say that one is not necessarily better than the other, I've just found that a baster is less hassle!

S'up to you.

regards

JtFB

[Mamgiowl]

I use a turkey baster and I agree it's much easier. I rinse it out immediately after use so bacteria, off smells etc., have no time to develop.

Works for me.

[Rich]

Also, Turkey basters are cheap.. from Wilkinsons anyway 50p or a £1 I think. Back in stock ready for xmas!

[Mamgiowl]

Yep, so cheap you can replace them with no pain the minute you think they're tainted.

[Her Lushness]

...and I use a wine thief, I don't find sanitizing it a problem, and so far am happy with it.

Having said that at, at the time I bought it, I couldn't find any turkey basters which is why I got the WT instead.

[Paul]

turkey basters

perhaps the best answer is to treat our turkey baster samplers much like diapers and politicians, they should be changed frequently and for the same reasons!


Paul

[fatbloke]

perhaps the best answer is to treat our turkey baster samplers much like diapers and politicians, they should be changed frequently and for the same reasons!

Paul

Well I'd also guess that the difference between your side of the pond and mine would mean that whatevers prevalent in the environment could easily dictate how likely it is that you might get bacterial infections in the wines Paul.

A quick look at google earth tells me that you're a lot further south than "us lot". The corresponding humidity, temperature etc could, well, who knows......

Besides, I know it depends on the recipe you/wife/partner have for the turkey, but as thanksgiving is close, then the hardware/kitchenware store has gotta be stuffed full of basters at the moment.

Get a couple, and dedicate one for only winemaking.........silicone bulb if possible as it can easily be sanitised, by boiling if necessary, but silicone is more resistant to degrading than rubber......

regards

JtFB

[Mamgiowl]

I NEVER use a turkey baster for ..er... basting turkeys

[fatbloke]

I NEVER use a turkey baster for ..er... basting turkeys

Neither have a lot of Americans Jan, have you seen the size of some of those specialist "turkey fryers" that are available?

Some of them are the size of a 45gallon oil drum

But I'd bet you find one handy for the "roastie spuds"

regards

JtFB

[NorthernWiner]

Paul,

Since you're over here in the states, you might look into one of these mini glass wine thieves, available from Midwest:

http://www.midwestsupplies.com/products/ProdByID.aspx?ProdID=5514

I have a couple and use them all the time. They're small and fit easily into any container opening. Just the right size for a sample tasting, plus they're sturdy and easy to clean.

[Mamgiowl]

Also available here http://www.hopandgrape.co.uk/catalog...me=wine%20thie

but considerably more expensive

[Her Lushness]

I NEVER use a turkey baster for ..er... basting turkeys

Living here in the contry as I do, my mind is boggling, as I doubt many farmers roundabouts use turkey basters for turkeys either...

[Her Lushness]

Also available here http://www.hopandgrape.co.uk/catalog...me=wine%20thie

but considerably more expensive

I got mine off Ebay (as per usual)