RedIrocZ-28

Recipes 

So I brewed up a Russian Imperial Stout 2 days ago and the ferment was slow to get going. Then it started to take off and I was content to just leave it, and check in on it periodically.

So I got home last night to a bunch of people at my house playing Halo. I joined in and played until 3am when I decided I needed to go to bed. I checked on the fermenter one last time before bed and I then realized that I had a situation on my hands. A very bad one. There was Krausen just starting to come up the airlock. The lid had swollen to the point that I was concerned it was going to possibly blow off the bucket. So, quickly thinking about my options I grabbed my bottling hose and filled a gallon jug with water. When I yanked the airlock out of the lid, krausen shot upward all over some clothing as the fermenter purged the extreme amount of CO2 built up.

I then crammed the tube into the grommet and stuck the other end in the jug. Feeling that the situation was under control I checked the temp. It had risen 5*F in 6 hours so I grabbed a block of ice and another fermenter and dropped in the ice, with the RIS fermenter following it. I HOPE like hell that this beer isn't so mean and nasty that the ferment temps will run rampant.

So with that said, A Warning to New or even Experienced Extract brewers: Brewing 1.080 extract brews will usually need a blowoff tube, not an airlock.!!!

jldc

Recipes 

I am a major noob, bit it seems like it's just too easy to use a blowoff tube to risk a major problem. Why not do it routinely for the first 4-7 days?

BierMuncher

Recipes 

Anytime I get over 1060, I rig a blow off. Especially during the warmer months.

An RIS? Ya better believe it.

__________________
*******
Check Out My Rolling Kegerator

BierMuncher Tried & Trues:
Tits-Up IIPA (3-Time Medalist), Black Pearl Porter, Kona Pale Ale, Outer Limits IPA, Centennial Blonde (4.0%), Nierra Sevada (SNPA), SWMBO Slayer Belgian Blonde,

HOOTER

Recipes 

I always use a blow off tube. Sometimes it's necessary, sometimes not so much, but I will always use one anyway. Why not?

__________________
Primary:
Secondary:
Bottled: Lots of stuff
On tap: Hefeweizen, Centennial Blonde
Up next: Quality Beverages

desertbronze

Recipes 

Agreed - I use one every time - never a problem with a clogged airlock.

__________________
"You can't drink all day if you don't start in the morning."

Kegged - Where's Waldo Amber Ale
Dry peppering - Jalapeno Wheat
On the fruit - Currant Wheat and Huckleberry Wheat

Primary - FUBAR Weizenbock and Accidental Dunkelweizen

Hops - Centennial, Nugget, Mt. Hood, Cascade, Willamette, Magnum, Chinook

Homercidal

Recipes 

Next time throw a blanket over it when you remove the airlock!

imaguitargod

Recipes 

See, this is why I put my 5 gallon brews in 6.5 gallon carboys...more room

__________________
Brewer for Hoppin' Frog Brewery.
"I am not an alcoholic, I’m a drunk. An alcoholic means that I have a problem and when I drink all my problems go away."

LooyvilleLarry

Recipes 

Gotta say that this would have been something to see on Americas Funniest Home Videos

A RIS is my next up, I just finished a Porter that started out at 1.074. Very similar effects. I had a blowoff tube into a 1 gal . That lasted for less than 24 hours! BM's small bucket makes more sense for these big beers.

burns629

Recipes 

I love brewing with the 6.5 but I've had two hefe's with white labs wlp300 that have managed to top that and required a blow off. Use them now all the time now.


Side note: I've heard that they're not making the 6.5gal carboys anymore, anybody know anything about that?

s3n8

Recipes 

I heard the place in Mexico that made them stopped. You can still get them some places, however they are running 45 or 50 on ebay.

I have 5 Gallons of tripel in a 6.5G carboy pitched on a yeastcake. Yeah, Its been blowing off quite a bit of yeast and krausen. I added 2lbs of sugar and a little water today, started spewing again almost immediately.

This is probably the most vigorous fermentation I have had, probably because I am trying to keep the temp around 68 or 70 and warm it up in a couple more days once it slows again.

like most others have said, its a lot easier to put the tube in than to clean up a mess.