Blow-off tubes.

alterosity · 12-03-2008, 11:13 PM

Just a few general questions. From my limited experience so far, the blow-off tube seems to work great at reducing the formation of a large krausen ring and foamovers.

Is there any reason why people switch to airlocks at the end of high activity?

Is it fine to just use blow-off tubes for every primary?

Is Starsan good for the sanitizer in the blow-off water?

TimmD · 12-04-2008, 12:09 AM

1. You don't have to worry about the tube sticking out of the primary. Easier to move if need be.
2. Yes.
3. I don't see why not.

**Hammy71** · 12-04-2008, 12:09 AM

You can just leave the blow off on the whole time...but I switch mine out after the first week (for an airlock) because it makes it easier to move the carboy later....

I've used one everytime just for insurance...seen to many pics on here and youtube videos of what a ceiling looks like after an airlock blows...

I put starsan in my blow-off container....so far never had a problem. I just use some from the batch that I made for sanitizing my brewing equipment when I made the wort...

alterosity · 12-04-2008, 02:18 AM

Thanks! I was a bit concerned when every reference to a blow-off tube was followed by 'switched to airlock' in various threads.

Orangevango · 12-04-2008, 02:40 AM

Airlocks are much quieter. My beer lives in my room.

Fat Guy Brewing · 12-04-2008, 03:07 AM

I have read some threads where people have a temperature drop and it creates a vacuum in the fermenter causing blow-off water to get sucked back into the fermenter. That can happen towards the end of fermentation when there is less CO2 being blown out. That's a reason to switch to an airlock after the vigorous part of fermentation.