Who is the Master Baster?

The search for the Master Baster. We have tried turkey basters, syringes, wine thiefs, yeah.... what's the best? While we're at it, there are SOOO many basters out there, which one of those is THE Master Baster? All the basters we got can be found on Amazon, and the prices ranged from around $4 to over $10. This is our NON scientific totally biased test for which is the MASTER BASTER!
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HZXSDEG Baster with Cleaning Brush: amzn.to/3Quu2du
Fox Run Heat-Resistant Glass Baster: amzn.to/3bQDdpg
Norpro Dishwasher Safe Glass Baster: amzn.to/3w20Imf
MYSXN Baster: amzn.to/3AhpOA7
Goodcook Baster: amzn.to/3PmEhiu
Home Brew Ohio Baster: amzn.to/3JQiTRC
Syringe: amzn.to/3dsB7fM
3-Piece Wine Thief: amzn.to/3QGg9bM
Glass Wine Thief: amzn.to/3zUwym3
Fun t-shirts: city-steading....
Some items used in the making of this video (We are Amazon Affiliates and as such do receive a small commission if you purchase anything after using one of our links. There is no cost to you for this, but it does help the channel and enables us to keep bringing you content. Thank you!)
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[@evanrice8090]

I use a baster but I take off the bulb and put in an appropriately sized bung with a hole in it then use my thumb over the hole to hold volume. This works very well. Im just using a baster like a wine theif.

[@AdamFranklin500]

This is one of the many reasons i love this channel, not just for the awesome brews you make, the easy to follow instructions you give but also going the grunt work on what equipment in your opinion is the best. So thank you

[@janicemartin1580]

This was fun to watch! I use a turkey baster that has been in use for at least 50 years, likely more. No markings, no name. It takes 2 squeezes to fill 100 mil. No leaks or drips. Guess products are just not made as well nowadays!

[@CitySteadingBrews]

Hey, if it ain't broke then don't fix it. Right? I wish we had a trusty old baster, but we don't. And thus our never ending search.

[@the_whiskeyshaman]

That is in-depth. Love it.

[@Bildo1986]

Using a wine thief, if you cover it before insertion. You can use differential pressure build up to get even more inside the their, WITHOUT putting it all the way into the liquid.

[@eddavanleemputten9232]

Loved this! I have a metal baster I got at a cooking supplies store. Drawback is that you can’t see how much you’re pulling up. Advantage is that it doesn’t leak. Two draws are enough for my 100 ml cylinder.

[@Brandyalla]

I have a Good Cook baster. It's fine. The tendency of the bulb to come loose isn't really a big deal, I just make sure it's seated properly before I use it. Mine does leak quite a bit more than yours though; I have to have the testing cylinder as close to the jug's mouth as I can get it to avoid dripping everywhere

[@Brandyalla]

@@julietardos5044 Agreed

[@CitySteadingBrews]

Yup. I liked it but the other just worked, didn’t have to make special considerations.

[@GodBroly]

Honestly for the good cook a little silicone tape and a zip tie or metal ratchet band would make it perfect

[@heyporcupine]

I have been using a regular Baster for a long time. Nothing you say is wrong. It's a matter of preference. Just an insight.... Hanging with Hodge tells people about your videos and tells everyone to watch them and give you a thumbs up.

[@AndiDawsonVO]

Thanks as always guys 💜

[@dawnteskey3259]

I use the "Good Cook" brand baster, it was so cheap I grabbed it. Works okay, good enough for my purposes. Thanks for the comparisons!

[@collinnewberry]

They do make food grade lubricant they use on fruit presses. Maybe try that to smooth the motion of the syringe? Fun video watch. Learned something new.

[@davidhowell7279]

I'm slowly switching over to plastic fermenters with a spigot to avoid that issue entirely. Then I rack into regular glass fermenters for conditioning/secondary. At that point a wine thief performs its designed job. It steals little tastes to see how things are going. I really like the fermonster fermenters. I've started making 6 gallon batches of wine. Being plastic, I can move them around very easily by myself and they are infinitely less breakable. Every size is wide mouth, easy to clean, and they have a brew bag that fits perfectly in the opening thus removing the need to tie it up. I know that some people are leary of using plastic, as am I, but then I think about how many beverages I drink that have been stored in plastic for months and months. Four to eight weeks in PET plastic doesn't seem unreasonable. Anyways, as always, I really enjoyed the video as well as the entertainment value of Derica and yourself. Keep on keepin' on.

[@OriginalOrlaith]

this was an awesome video! thanks so much for doing it.

[@darylbrander4851]

My turkey baster is like the red bulbed one you are concerned about. I actually have a hole in the bulb but have never had issues. I can get fluid all the way to the bulb when used properly.

[@CallistoWolf]

I have been using the Good Cook one for a while now. It does a decent job.

[@PhantomBladification]

So my comment about using a Tovolo turkey baster was deleted. I'm just going to assume that KZbin messed this one up. It has a silicone tip that stops dripping. Only takes two full bulb fills to fill the 100mL cylinder as long as the hydrometer is in the cylinder. Only problem with it is you have to be slow at first when filling the cylinder because it can create a lot of bubbles until the end of the turkey baster is submerged in the wine. But all in all a good solid option especially for me as a mess averse type person.

[@johndough8115]

Try using a heat gun, or soldiering iron... to melt the hole smaller. Maybe use pliers to squeeze it, when its soft.

[@OdaFluff]

Truth be told I've been using the syringe for a good bit and haven't had any issues out of it. I did cut the tubing a little bit shorter, so that it wouldn't dangle wangle all over the place, and I usually use it pretty soon after taking out of the sanitizer liquid so there hasn't been any issue with struggling with the plunger. I can see how it would be an issue when it dries though. Love the video!

[@dominic_a]

I use it also, but the opposite. I have a long tube that I coiled up and zip tied so its easy to control. And the length allows me to not pull it all the way into the syringe where, I noticed, it gets aerated in the gap that forms.

[@thatjonguy103]

So currently I use a syringe. I would recommend cutting the tubing to what you need, which by the looks of it is about half what you have. That should help not only with less air in it, but more control. Also, if you're using the 1.4 gallon big mouth fermentor, I wouldn't even use the tube. I've found that storing these with the plunger fully extended out is best as they do tend to get stuck inside, and then take it out, dip the tip in the sanitizer when ready to use. That helps to lubricate it much better from what I've found.

[@ghoppr71]

Of course, as I said on the community post, I use the Northern Brew baster, and yes, I have the same problem you did. It leaks at an angle.

[@96driver]

absolutely interesting.

[@PacesIII]

Mine has a nice bulb with a good hole on the end. It may not be the hest, but I've learned to live with it. 😏

[@philosophersbreweryandferm2487]

You two are AWESOME! I love your videos.

[@CitySteadingBrews]

Thank you so much!

[@joshporter1000]

I have been using the plastic syringe for quite a while now, ever since I first saw you guys using it. And I agree the seal does get hard to slide. One thing I found is that after drawing the brew into the syringe I then slowly pull the plunger out the rest of the way and let the lack of vacuum allow it to flow back down the tube. I also use a 3/8 inner diameter hose. It seems to work well for me.

[@paulgurenko]

As a hospital worker i think there is another addition -> there are Syringes with a ring at the thumb-end side (bladder syringes), and a conical spike at the other one. you can put conical adapters (German "Frauenkatheter" or tracheal suction catheters) in between instead of a "luer lock" style syringe you have (These are made to apply i.v. medication in precise ammounts, therefore harder to empty fast)... and you can get them in bulk for cheap ;)

[@angieturner1661]

Thank you for this test!

[@CitySteadingBrews]

Thank you for watching!

[@MajorPolySci]

i like the syringe but get a lure lock (same price) and then i use blunt tip needles and you can get any gauge you prefer. i have 14ga needles 5” long but you can get longer, and they are stainless as well. i got all my stuff on amazon to.

[@Backdaft94]

I have one of the good cook basters but I don't use it very often because its a pain to put the bulb onto the stem.

[@jessbarclay472]

With the baster top. It’s thicker top verses the softer sides because many use it by pressing the thumb on the thick top towards the pointy end… rather than squeezing the rubber top, like you are in the habit of using. It’s not better or worse. It’s just what various people do. Not a design fault. Just different uses for the same item.

[@SA12String]

Yeah, the first thing I changed was the cylinder. 250ml is ridiculous. Bought a 100ml borosilicate one and never looked back. It's perfect. So far, it looks to me like we need a thin and long glass wine thief, maybe with a bit of a standoff on the end to keep it out of the lees. Suggestion for the Good Cook with the worrisome bulb connection, and maybe the Foxpro/clone? A stainless steel hose clamp. But I'll probably buy a Hisix...Hizx...the black one.

[@aleithiatoews6452]

I like to quickly dip the plunger of my syringe in the sanitizer solution to help lubricate it in the tube, so no foreign substance is needed for lubrication. Also, if you angle the syringe and tube straight down, you don't need a hand to keep the graduated cylinder upright and can use both hands to depress the plunger.

[@CitySteadingBrews]

After a year, I can say with certainty the baster is so much easier.

[@hammelbreu2059]

The very best thingy to get a 100ml Sample without dripping is probably a pipette pump (e.g. Range 0.1 - 100ml) Those ones won´t leak, cause these things are made as laboratory equipment (== accuracy & no dripping). Unfortunately laboratory equipment is expensive. Therefore I stick to my "coral feader" (Similar to a turkey baster). It may drip and I might need to take 2+ samples to fill a graduated 100ml cylinder, BUT it is CHEAP. easy to use AND easy to clean!

[@wolfmanbrews4266]

I believe most of the dripping is the tea shedding from the exterior of the tube

[@CitySteadingBrews]

If that was the case then the results should have been more similar.

[@wolfmanbrews4266]

Depends On the surface area of the tube they ranged from short to long skinny to fat

[@CitySteadingBrews]

Not much sticks to it though as it was pulled out of the liquid then taken over. It’s not a viscous fluid, it’s more like water. A couple drops sure, but that’s it Iwould think.

[@kingquesoIV]

I think if you suck into the bulb you hurt the holdability. Which means people that have the bulbs that aren’t big enough to pull into the bulb are actually designed better

[@CitySteadingBrews]

Not disagreeing but if it can’t pull at least 50ml, you need three samples and that’s just unnecessary.

[@Cluster-Duck]

Take the bulb off the winner and put it on the Fox one if that fits it good then you have best of both

[@ryannelson7719]

Thank you for the tests! Saves me from buying 10 different ones myself

[@i8ntrt]

I use a 300cc syringe and love it. I use a firmer tube and seems to help. I will have to look and see if maybe you could use a piece of tubing instead of the floppy tube. I actually use it one handed, using my thumb on the ridges of the plunger to draw up the liquid.

[@AdamFranklin500]

"Two basters enter! One Baster leaves!! Two basters enter! One Baster leaves!!" 😄 "One way to find out! TO THE THUNDERDOME!!"

[@CitySteadingBrews]

Bahaha!

[@frankkeltch5260]

R.I.P. MEGA MAID 2021 - 2022 SHE WENT FROM . SUCK TO BLOW

[@jachamr]

***Different Operation Method***: Using the syringe, draw your sample, turn the syringe upside down, hold the outside of the syringe, and push down the plunger on the table. That would leave your other hand free to hold the tube into the cylinder.

[@CitySteadingBrews]

Still sticks and isn’t that t easier to just use the baster?

[@greatlakesnarwhalmichellee4507]

Wonder if you used a heat gun on the master baster to make the whole smaller

[@raykiii]

Have you all heard of Pampered Chef? It's a $14.00 USD baster and it comes with a brush. The tube has measurements on it. it is clear. The bulb has a flat spot, so it will not roll off your counter/table. I don't own one because it's 14 bucks, but for science...

[@CitySteadingBrews]

I like the one we use now!

[@yourmetalgod69]

I have the good cook and hate it lol, it is leaky as hell for me. but I have been looking for new gear so I LOVE this video thanks

[@micahtutor659]

I have two of the good cook ones, lol, its a safeway brand. so I got them cheap. Since I work there

[@hondatuner5156]

Just as a goof, I started tasting my brews to try to guess my O.G..... I am surprisingly accurate😀

[@colinbrown4008]

Classic click bait title. Love it x

[@CitySteadingBrews]

:)

[@briant6669]

I am a scientific glass blower, I could make a glass one to fit any of those bulbs. Just need the diameter and prefered volume and prefered hole size. Its like a 30 min project. LMK if u want.

[@CitySteadingBrews]

I appreciate the offer but as much as I dislike plastic, I dislike tiny shards of dispersed glass more :)

[@Shellewell]

This is probably overthinking the whole process, but you folks do you 😂 Still, I watched the whole way so it held interest! I don't think I'll be bothering to switch from what I already have based on it, I'll just stick to needing a number of small draws with the wine thief.

[@CitySteadingBrews]

Yes! This video wasn’t intended to change anyone’s minds or methods but rather to have something fun to watch that might aid someone who is looking for a new sampling device. 🤓

[@kirtgunnard1038]

I use the syringe like the mega maid but use a shorter firmer hose. So far no leaks or seal issues, but for a single person operation it is a pain.

[@Vfggbvdwfcgjbcsdhjbcdsgjcg]

I recall seeing a device in a wine video on YT. It was shaped much like a caulking gun.. he either squeezed or released the grip to take in liquid, and did the opposite to release it. Super easy! The kind of thing you’d have if you were taking lots of samples every day. I have googled every possibly keyword and image search but cannot find it. It did look more like a scientific instrument but at the time I assumed it was just a professional sampling device. Maybe someone here knows of it?

[@CitySteadingBrews]

Sounds interesting and…. Expensive :(

[@tracktime1196]

I'd like to see some modifications lol

[@suzz1776]

Funny story: so I use one of the syringe w/tube thing and one time I was trying to transfer some mead with it, well the plunger got stuck(as u said) so I pushed it real hard. Well I didn't notice my cat was siting next to me so when I pushed down I heard a screech and aparently i wasn't holding it right and it sprayed everywhere but the main aim of it was right in my cats face. She was soaked and pissed at me for hrs. I thought it was kinda funny though. Lol. So ya.... I get help now when using it and make sure my cat isn't watching me work. Lol

[@CitySteadingBrews]

Lol

[@patrickwilliams3108]

Digital refractometer? I have read that those have problems when alcohol is involved. Have they figured out how to deal with that?

[@CitySteadingBrews]

There’s calculators and so far the accuracy seems spot on.

[@generrosity]

I'm sure you have answered this before, have you seen how refractometer have simplified and prices have dropped? I don't think brew shops are purchasing those ones yet, but there are a few cheap ones on Amazon, unlikely to be less than a hydrometer for years yet tho

[@jongrnl]

Science!!!

[@lizduesterhaus759]

Actually got the Goodcook baster last week. Seems to work well. Unfortunately the hydrometer set I bought came with the 250 ml graduated cylinder. Need to order a 100 ml for sure! Anyways, happy with my #2 master baster. 😂

[@mandolinman2006]

I can't remember if I've asked about catnip wine before. But, I was mowing yesterday and came across some wild passion fruit on the fence row. I'm curious if they or their flowers would make a decent wine. It would be different.

[@dominic_a]

Some varieties are sweeter than others, and you'll need a lot of sugar, but passion fruit makes great wine. The flowers make good tea. But if you pick the flowers you won't get the fruit.

[@donaldquinn6742]

What do want for 2.00dollars , just don't rush yourself

[@VoodooViking]

Depepe brand is made specifically for capsicumels. The name literally means “of Pepper” in French.

[@CitySteadingBrews]

Just sounds funnier my way.

[@VoodooViking]

@@CitySteadingBrews well to each their own

[@shannoncraig509]

I just put the hydrometer in the fermenter. The hydrometer is sanitized before and after. .....Who runs Bartertown?

[@CitySteadingBrews]

That only works a fraction of the time for us due to different levels of liquid not allowing the hydrometer to have enough volume to float.

[@shannoncraig509]

@@CitySteadingBrews That makes sense. I typically use deeper fermenters.

[@kevind7617]

I hold the syringe in 1 hand.. the end of the tube with the other.. and press the plunger with either my forehead or chest

[@XxdjforrestxX]

You could build it…you have the technology Start combining parts from everything

[@CitySteadingBrews]

For some reason my inner monologue just screamed, "It's alive! IT'S ALIVE!!!"

[@XxdjforrestxX]

Yes Yes!!!!! Lol I think you guys should expand and diversify. Maybe think about getting something designed that you know you and your followers would use City Steading Brew equipment

[@TheStraycat74]

the big white plastic wine thief is what I use, but it didn't fit into your jar and never made it past the first test...

[@CitySteadingBrews]

If it doesn’t fit… we can’t use it!

[@TheStraycat74]

@@CitySteadingBrews in your smallest containers, yeah I completely agree... I use the big one gallon mason jar style fermentors you guys used a while back, so mine works fine for me :3

[@thestarnerd7172]

So i have a question i used dark brown suger to try to replicate a rum like product and i just tasted it and it had none of the harsh flavorse that you guys have associated with fermented molasses on the contrary it was delicious and im now very confused where the harsh note is or if im just missing it All it was was dark brown suger (molasses added to white suger ),water and ec118

[@CitySteadingBrews]

Pure molasses is much different fermented than brown sugar.

[@crazyspider17]

it would be nice if someone can invent a device which is both a beaker and a baster.

[@JNSOutdoors]

I have a plastic wine thief big enough for the hydrometer to fit. Too big for gallon jugs though.

[@marcveary4146]

Unrelated question. We are new to brewing/mead. How do we control the abv of a mead brew without the use of chemicals? We have a really nice tasting mead (only 8 days old) at 4.2% abv and want it to stay around 4-5% abv. How do we do this? Many thanks for the great channel.

[@CitySteadingBrews]

If you find a brew to be perfect the way it is, you can always bottle then pasteurize to stop further fermentation without chemicals. We have many videos on how to pasteurize but our personal favorite is the sous vide method.

[@marcveary4146]

@@CitySteadingBrews really appreciate the guidance and all the great content.

[@rjszrama]

My main concern would be is if you suck your brew up into the bulb how are you going to make sure you get that nice and clean.

[@CitySteadingBrews]

They come apart and you can clean and sanitize them.

[@rjszrama]

@@CitySteadingBrews no doubt you can diss assemble but there’s nooks and crannies inside that bulb that I would always wonder about. For sure the baster is no doubt the best option but one would have to give a little extra attention to that bulb

[@bobminion8790]

I know this is totally unrelated to this specific video... But I've got whispy white stuff hanging in my mead that's been aging with oak cubes, the cubes weren't sanitized with star san, but they were soaked for 30 mins before adding them to the mead... Still smells fine but what's the whitish smoky stuff? Is it safe to taste?

[@CitySteadingBrews]

More than likely that whispy white stuff is Kahm yeast. If you’ve done any fermenting, particularly with vegetables and fruits, you’ve probably come across kahm yeast at one point or another. Kahm is the white film that often covers the top of your ferments. It is sometimes confused for mold. Even though it looks a little funky, it’s not something that is harmful to you or your ferment.

[@keyboard_g]

Just zip tie the red one with a loose rubber seal.

[@jeremycollison7525]

Will the ball from the home brew baster fit on the fox run baster? Might give you the best of both.

[@CitySteadingBrews]

I hadn't thought of that! Good suggestion!

[@Marcos-Osca]

I really dont why you guys wasted so much cash on this experiment that i didnt know about. You have the perfect means of filling that test tube .... your bottle siphon will do the best job with the addition of the bottle filler with the little valve on the end.

[@CitySteadingBrews]

Nope. Same issues as a wine thief.

[@Marcos-Osca]

Ok well then how do you stop the lees with the siphon or if your racking to another container and you start off half way down the carbol

[@DEER_HUNTER48429]

Why can't you use the Racking Bottling wand with the syphon, Instead of the baster to fill the tube???????

[@CitySteadingBrews]

The bottling wand holds a tiny amount.

[@CitySteadingBrews]

And the autosiphon tube would have to go into the lees to get enough for a sample.

[@suzz1776]

I must have a dirty mind cuz I swear I read and then heard "who is the master bater" Lol-face palm-lol

[@KernsJW]

Is a combination of a baster bulb and wine thief possible?

[@CitySteadingBrews]

That’s essentially what a baster is.

[@KernsJW]

@@CitySteadingBrews yeah, but you were looking for the small hole. Didnt think you would ever find one on a baster as the hole tends to be larger for broth and gravy reasons

[@erebus_chaosson]

please make lilac wine :)

[@CitySteadingBrews]

It has been added to "The List"!

[@erebus_chaosson]

​@@CitySteadingBrews YES *fist pumps* PS. EEEEEE Senpais noticed me ^^

[@mythic_snake]

It's a minor pet peeve of mine when Chinese companies just dip a spoon into a bowl of alphabet soup and fling it at the wall to pick their brand name. Could they not at least try to make it a real word?

[@CitySteadingBrews]

I don't get it either.

[@marcusroos7011]

😄👍

[@helloskymoon]

i use portable electric water pump for 5 galon water jug😅

[@CitySteadingBrews]

For samples?

[@helloskymoon]

@@CitySteadingBrews for moving sample to the tube and checking gravitu, for racking Also for bottling my first mead then put in fridge because i love cold mead 1 push the button then brrrrrr mead pouring to bottle, to tube, to another water galon jug😀

[@CitySteadingBrews]

@helloskymoon as long as that pump is sanitized... sure?

[@helloskymoon]

@@CitySteadingBrews yes sanitize the what is small rubber tube hose in english, then run the sanitize water for couple second so the inside is sterile Your video always said remember sanitize and take reading are imprinted on my mind, it is kind of hard to forget about sanitizing or take readinh lol

[@pacman10182]

I thought the thumbnail said blast master Was expecting to rock out to some metal, not get a dirty joke

[@CitySteadingBrews]

It never said Blast Master. Sorry to disappoint.

[@pacman10182]

@@CitySteadingBrews damn

[@TheRealOkami]

"Storing wine that is dry until your ready to add sugar before for drinking?" Thoughts? I found dry wine keeps alot easier because of off gasing etc. So what do you prefer everyone? @citysteadingbrews

[@CitySteadingBrews]

You certainly can keep your wine dry and sweeten it at time of consumption. This will give you more options as you could have the wine at any level of dryness or sweetness based on your needs at the time