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Brew2Be · 01-11-2012, 06:27 PM

Hi everyone. I am about to order some airlocks and other brewing equipment. I stumbled over two different airlocks:

the "regular"

and the duplex:

Can anyone tell me what the differences between them are? The duplex kind seem to be more expensive.

Thanks alot.

Boerderij_Kabouter · 01-11-2012, 06:31 PM

Typically called a bubbler and a three-piece, respectively. They both work. Some like the three-piece because they are easier to clean; some like the bubblers because they sound and look cooler. I use bubblers.

Brew2Be · 01-11-2012, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boerderij_Kabouter

Typically called a bubbler and a three-piece, respectively. They both work. Some like the three-piece because they are easier to clean; some like the bubblers because they sound and look cooler. I use bubblers.

Thanks for the reply. That pretty much answered my question. So easy cleaning is the only difference?

KevinM · 01-11-2012, 07:38 PM

I like the S curve because if I cool down the carboy and there's a vacuum, then only air is sucked back into the carboy. With the 3 piece, the liquid goes in. This is only an issue when I cold crash.

Also, when I drop the airlock on it's side, the S curve leaks less, the 3piece spills out. Sometimes when accessing the carboy to add clarifiers, I'll just set the S curve on it's side, with the stopper off the ledge.

Turnerdude1 · 01-11-2012, 08:48 PM

I use the duplex (have both) when space is an issue when carboy is placed on shelf where height is an issue..

brushvalleybrewer · 01-11-2012, 08:56 PM

I use both.

The "easy cleaning" is most important for those times when you used an airlock, but should have used a blow off tube, and now your airlock is plugged with beer and hops and trub and the only way to get it out is to run a pipe brush through it.

MarkKF · 01-11-2012, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brushvalleybrewer

I use both.

The "easy cleaning" is most important for those times when you used an airlock, but should have used a blow off tube, and now your airlock is plugged with beer and hops and trub and the only way to get it out is to run a pipe brush through it.

I just started making cider and bought both. I use the three piece for the primary, when it might get kinda gross, cause it's easier to clean. I'm gonna use the bubbler for the secondary where it might sit for months and possibly go backwards.

**Jukas** · 01-11-2012, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinM

I like the S curve because if I cool down the carboy and there's a vacuum, then only air is sucked back into the carboy. With the 3 piece, the liquid goes in. This is only an issue when I cold crash.

I thought the entire point was to keep air out of the carboy. If you're getting suckback on cold crash wouldn't it still be better to have what's getting sucked into your carboy be star san or a cheap vodka than O2?

brushvalleybrewer · 01-11-2012, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkKF

I just started making cider and bought both.

I use the one-piece for my cider. I get very little krausen on them.

InfernoBrews · 01-12-2012, 01:44 AM

Three piece are more popular. Main reason is they are easier to clean.but most brewers use three piece and I see more wine makers use the double bubble, it all comes down to preference.. Just my outlook on the topic,from owning a homebrew shop and see who buys them everyday..