Wine/Beer Thief, 19 Long

Q: How long is it? I assume it has to reach the bottom of the 5 gallon carboy to activate the valve?

Thanks for asking. The wine thief is about 20in long (about has tall as a carboy). However, it is not meant to touch the bottom of the carboy. It is only meant to be long enough to reach into the liquid of the carboy to fill up. The valve tip is opened immediately when you begin inserting it into the liquid because it floats up. You release the liquid back into the carboy by pressing the tip on the inside neck of the carboy or inside of the plastic bucket to open the valve. Thanks!

Q: Will this work for 1 gallon jugs, with 1 3/8 inch mouth openings????

It does not fit the three 1 gallon jugs (https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0064O8Z76/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) that I have. I am slightly disappointed, but the size of the opening for my jug is not listed. I believe it fits a #6 stopper.

Q: I need help working this. The valve tip does not open when you insert into the liquid, Therefore the wine is draining out the bottom/tip. User error?

Normally there is a stopper pin that protrudes out. Normally you touch it against something to make it drain. You might check to make sure the stopper is present and clean and free of anything that is plugging it up or keeping it from sealing.

Q: Does it require a separate Fermtech siphon piece to operate or has all you need?

This item is sold as a complete wine thief. You do not need any other piece of equipment. After cleaning and sanitizing the Fermtech Wine Thief you just bob it up and down in the liquid to draw the liquid up into the wine thief.