air lock dried up!!

droopybrew · 12-02-2011, 03:09 PM

think my brew i've got on at the mo might be ruined. checked on the airlock the other day (it's in two pieces) it looked like water level was below the riser tube thingy so i think it was exposed!! it's been in the primary for the 2nd week now might leave it another 4-5 days, it was still bubbling yesterday after nearly 2 weeks so it's either infected or it's too cold where i'm keeping the fermenter, do you think my ale is ruined?
has this ever happened to any of you guys?, do you keep topping it up?
is the other type of bubble lock better?
it's only a beer kit (woodford wherry)
i'm yet to get a brew right, there's allways something that goes wrong

**Zamial** · 12-02-2011, 03:12 PM

easy killer...

This happens often. Your beer is fine unless you can see a pelicile... Remember bacteria always fall downwards so you are still in good shape.

**Revvy** · 12-02-2011, 03:16 PM

The thing to remember is, even with a dry airlock is that the bad stuff are not ninja acrobats....whether it is a 3 piece or an s type, they would have to get through the cap at the top, then either negotiate a series of twist and turns through an S shaped "track" OR have to dive down, then climb up the center post under the plastic bubbler, then lift said bubbler up enough to the make it into the center post and dive into your fermenter....and STILL have to negotiate the rising co2 current pushing out of the fermenter itself....Think about it...Even without water in there, do you think a piece of dust can make this journey?

Needless to say a piece of dust ain't gonna make it. And not much else either. Relax

droopybrew · 12-02-2011, 03:19 PM

i saw a bubble come out the air lock yesterday which was probably day 13 not sure if it's to do with some bacterial infection or the conditions are too cold?
my original plan was to keep it in the fermentor for 2 to 3 weeks but because was still bubbling yesterday i'm thinking bit longer?
think next time i'm going to get a heater.
what type of airlock is better?

**Revvy** · 12-02-2011, 03:23 PM

Nothing's wrong. Relax.

And like so much in brewing there's no best. An Airlock is an airlock, it's purpose it to vent excess co2, nothing else. It doesn't really matter what type you use, or if you use them at all.

droopybrew · 12-02-2011, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Revvy

The thing to remember is, even with a dry airlock is that the bad stuff are not ninja acrobats....whether it is a 3 piece or an s type, they would have to get through the cap at the top, then either negotiate a series of twist and turns through an S shaped "track" OR have to dive down, then climb up the center post under the plastic bubbler, then lift said bubbler up enough to the make it into the center post and dive into your fermenter....and STILL have to negotiate the rising co2 current pushing out of the fermenter itself....Think about it...Even without water in there, do you think a piece of dust can make this journey?

Needless to say a piece of dust ain't gonna make it. And not much else either. Relax

the thing is it does smell a bit fishy where i got the fermentor (fishing cupboard), could that effect it?

i also put some steriliser in the water of the airlock (read it in a book) that won't effect it will it? just thinking maybe your only surposed to do that with the other type of bubble lock

**Zamial** · 12-02-2011, 03:24 PM

Bubbles do not indicate there is anything happening other than gas exchange. While gas exchange is a part of fermentation it is not an indicator...ever. Hydro samples 24 hours apart will tell the story.

Bubbles are fun. They make wands that you can dip in liquid and wave through the air, it make LOTS of them. That does not indicate that there is fermentation happening...

BTW welcome to HBT!

**copyright1997** · 12-02-2011, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by droopybrew

i saw a bubble come out the air lock yesterday which was probably day 13 not sure if it's to do with some bacterial infection or the conditions are too cold?
my original plan was to keep it in the fermentor for 2 to 3 weeks but because was still bubbling yesterday i'm thinking bit longer?
think next time i'm going to get a heater.
what type of airlock is better?

1. Did you take a gravity reading? It is your only real scientific instrument.
2. Is the temperature in the fermentation range for your strain of yeast. If no, make it so.

droopybrew · 12-02-2011, 03:33 PM

haven't taken a gravity reading yet, don't really want to open it up untill atleast another 4 or 5 days. don't know what the temp is (need to get one of those lcd thermometers that stick on the fermentor) but i've been trying to keep the house around room temp, probably gets a bit cold at night tho.

**bovineblitz** · 12-02-2011, 03:40 PM

Louis Pasteur's gooseneck flask experiment: Tutorial 3.3 Pasteur's Experiment

You're fine.