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universe · 12-03-2008, 03:41 AM

The kits I do call for an airlock. How many people use an airlock for the primary and how important is it really?

**Jaybird** · 12-03-2008, 03:58 AM

I always use one, or a blow off tube. Important? Depends on how clean the environment is.
JJ

universe · 12-03-2008, 04:37 AM

What if its one like this?

http://www.nexternal.com/hombre/images/12_gallon_primary.jpg

**Jaybird** · 12-03-2008, 06:32 AM

yes you need an airlock or at least leave the lid ajar so it dosen't explode.

Tusch · 12-03-2008, 02:12 PM

For primary, you could just replace the lid with a clean cloth.

syd138 · 12-03-2008, 05:45 PM

Well, is it really that big of a deal if you use one? They cost about $3.

Better be safe than sorry

***Yooper*** · 12-03-2008, 05:50 PM

I never use an airlock (or even a cover, beyond a clean dish towel) for primary. Within about 5 days, though, fermentation slows down, and I rack to a carboy, top up so there is almost no headspace, and airlock. A primary doesn't need to be covered, but a secondary certainly needs to have the headspace minimized and it must be airlocked. That fermenter will work fine for primary, as long as you have an appropriately sized carboy for secondary.

B-rad · 12-03-2008, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YooperBrew

I never use an airlock (or even a cover, beyond a clean dish towel) for primary. Within about 5 days, though, fermentation slows down, and I rack to a carboy, top up so there is almost no headspace, and airlock. A primary doesn't need to be covered, but a secondary certainly needs to have the headspace minimized and it must be airlocked. That fermenter will work fine for primary, as long as you have an appropriately sized carboy for secondary.

Is this just the way you do it for wine Yooper or do you not use a lid on beer too?..

summersolstice · 12-03-2008, 07:58 PM

Like Yooper, I never use an airlock on my primary. I assume that since this is the wine forum we're discussing procedures for wine. I don't even use a top. Instead, I use a clean t-shirt or towel and keep it in place with a bungee cord that I remove to punch down the cap or straining bag 1-2 times a day. After 5 days or so I rack to an airlocked secondary.

These photos were taken a couple of years ago but they may as well have been taken today. I'm using the same primary, the same t-shirt, and even the wine and straining bag looks the same for the Amarone I currently have going right now.

***Yooper*** · 12-03-2008, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B-rad

Is this just the way you do it for wine Yooper or do you not use a lid on beer too?..

Wine only. I always airlock my primary for my beer. I've been doing a lot of reading though and may want to just cover the primary loosely sometime, just to try it. I think it's BobNQ who says that you don't need to airlock beer in the primary.