So as I’m coming up on 1 year of using this product I have to say, I have used in every batch since I have gotten these. Here is the first review and here is the second. To me its just an added safety measure that is now part of my brewing process I don’t even think about it any more. They are great and have head up like brand new so far pushing 19 batches through them, again I have two and alternated their use.
The one thing I really happy I thought about was the length of the hose as I pull my Anvil Buckets out of a keezer, currently without a collar, and walk with about 15ft(4.5M) away. If they were not cut where they are I would have trouble walking, luckily hose is cheap. 8) As I mentioned above I have used this product for almost a year now and they have held up great. Never had an issue, other than knowing how to use the valve. I thought about making something like this prior but well worth the money.
The way I use them and seams to work, Ill sanitize in the hose from the bong to the the first T. The bag is slightly positive with CO2 from the previous brew, The valve stays in the closed position during the beginning of the fermentation. As the CO2 production is increased Ill flip the valve to the 1/2 moon side for about an hour or two to flush CO2 through that line. After that Ill flip it over to on and let the bag fill up.
After fermentation is complete and ready for clean up, it is pretty simple, at least for me. The reason why is so far, knock on wood, I have yet to have a blowout down the tube and into the bag. I tend to, but not always, keep the bag the high point and the hose down low. Since Its stayed clean I take from the bung to the first T and clean that. The rest I push out the CO2 out of the bag and connect the open end of off the T I didn’t pull and wrap it around it self to create a closed system. My though is since its clean and filled with CO2, not much can grow in there. At least that is my thought and so far has worked out.
After that it has been a rinse and repeat. They are great and Ill probably get another year out of them. They are so cheap a replacement for down the road.
