V, I did use your funnel idea - in fact with a little
for not thinking of it for myself.
It didn't make much difference in the end though.
It was very yeasty and so unpalateable.
With a few basic brewing items I'm sure it could be better, but given my lack of funds and very good reasons for staying away from booze I probably won't be starting the experiment again.
For the interst and amusement it was well worth the cost however (about £1 in total). Really, I should buy something I can plant for a similar cost. Currently I take a lot of pleasure in watching things change and develop - and no, the parallel is not lost on me.