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  • what to ignite in for the syphon

    hi all,

    yesterday was my bday, and a nice bunch of friends bought me a hario syphon, knowing my obsession with coffee.
    now, i havent played with one before, and i need to get the right stuff to burn...
    it is a manual burner, so i need to get some feul for it. what do i use? just buy some metho from bunnings, or do i use something else?

    after i sort that out i will read more about the bean/grind/technique....
    i just need to get started!

    thanks.

  • #2
    Re: what to ignite in for the syphon

    Methelated Spirits works fine but it does have an odour, if you can get it pure alcohol is nicer.

    Have a read below here in this section on how to do Syphon brews, but some basics to start with are raw sugar sized grind and about 7-8g/100 ml works for me for dose.

    Also with the fuel burner as the water rises to the top chamber slide the burner out a little so the water maintains temp and doesnt keep getting hotter.

    Bean choice is another whole matter too if you are roasting your own go lighter generally and even then not all beans will suit.

    have fun

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    • #3
      Re: what to ignite in for the syphon

      so, where does one get pure alcohol from? im in melb, se suburbs or cbd?

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      • #4
        Re: what to ignite in for the syphon

        Couple of options but your local chemist might be easiest to ask at first.

        Methanol - Model aircraft, go kart or speciality car racing.
        Ethanol - Laboratory supplies or even Polish spirit will work.
        usual thing with burning most alcohols BE careful flames can be hard to see also dont drink it

        Best long term option is still to buy a butane burner from Sorrentina

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        • #5
          Re: what to ignite in for the syphon

          Originally posted by 7374707F777D68787F76110 link=1279253396/3#3 date=1279337239
          Best long term option is still to buy a butane burner
          Or if you want to spend a small fortune, and are lucky enough to find one, you could buy one of these...Im just counting down the days till the postie arrives with mine.



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          • #6
            Re: what to ignite in for the syphon

            I think that the butane burner is definitely the way to go. Most of the people who I have spoken to who have the cool-looking halogens actually prefer the butane burner.

            Whatever fuel source you use, boil the water first before adding it to the siphon; an electric kettle will invariably be faster than heating water in the siphon.

            Cheers,
            LUca

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            • #7
              Re: what to ignite in for the syphon

              After having a few goes at the Halogen burners I prefer the quick adjustments of the butane ones but if I was putting it on ther shop counter then the Halogen or better yet one of these (sitting in a box waiting ) would be preferred over the butane.

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              • #8
                Re: what to ignite in for the syphon

                we have divereged a bit from topic here.... i am not sold on the whole syphon thing, so dont want to be spending $$ on a burner that i am not going to use. (I already have a sunbeam grinder in the cupboard doing that nicely)
                someone today said kerosene? not sure about that one. thinking I may just go some lighter fluid.

                also, my hot water comes from my expobar, not a kettle. any issues with using this water? would it be double boiling it, reduced oxygen content issues??

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                • #9
                  Re: what to ignite in for the syphon

                  Hi

                  Best use metho. Its a lot safer than lighter fluid. The mercaptans added to it to make it taste horrible will not get into your brewed coffee. Metho is cheap, easy, safe.

                  [ From someone that went from a MSR to a Trangia for those in the know :-) ]

                  Mike

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                  • #10
                    Re: what to ignite in for the syphon

                    If you have a gas stove, then its pretty easy... just use that. At least, it works for me.

                    Love the siphon

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                    • #11
                      Re: what to ignite in for the syphon

                      Originally posted by 667F787E79740D0 link=1279253396/7#7 date=1279779950
                      i am not sold on the whole syphon thing
                      Used on the right beans and with the right method they are excellent. Used badly on some Espresso roasted beans they are ordinary. Just go buy some Metho for a start and if you want to keep using it buy the Butane burner is the best thing.

                      Originally posted by 696C637C0D0 link=1279253396/9#9 date=1279792225
                      If you have a gas stove
                      Actually did that at the shop a few months back as I had run out of Butane for my burner and it worked fairly well but even the smallest burner was hard to get fine regulation with.

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                      • #12
                        Re: what to ignite in for the syphon

                        Yes- absolutely do not use lighter fluid. It does not burn clean- and stinks a lot. Methylated spirits burns pretty clean- is easy to find- and inexpensive.

                        Also do not use lamp oil- these are very sooty.

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