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creole_hops · 01-30-2009, 06:01 PM

Out of curiosity, are I suppoed to leave the cap off of my airlock after I add the water to the fill line?
All indications say no but im wondering how the carbon escapes.

Thanks

McKBrew · 01-30-2009, 06:03 PM

It really doesn't matter if the cap is on or off as long as there is liquid in the airlock. The caps do not fit tightly and the CO2 will escape with the cap on just as easily as with it off.

hopsalot · 01-30-2009, 06:04 PM

the caps leave space for CO2 to escape, I did not use a cap before and i found bugs trying to get in my beer. Poisoned by CO2 most likely, little bastards

Talloak · 01-30-2009, 06:04 PM

If it is a 3-piece airlock, you put the cap back on after you add your sanitary solution up to the fill line. Don't just use tap water, use vodka or water you used to sanitize your equipment, but not iodophor.

strider · 01-30-2009, 06:05 PM

Also the caps have little holes. Depending on the weather where you are, it can keep fruit flys out

Although with my mead a few still managed to get into it somehow.

**ShortSnoutBrewing** · 01-30-2009, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Talloak

Don't just use tap water, use vodka or water you used to sanitize your equipment, but not iodophor.

Curious why you say this. I use my iodophor solution to fill the airlock all the time and never had any issue doing so.

It hasn't been mentioned, but the cap, at least on my airlocks, have little holes in them.

Edit...Oops, strider beat me to it.

creole_hops · 01-30-2009, 06:31 PM

great thanks guys

Talloak · 01-30-2009, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kilted Brewer

Curious why you say this. I use my iodophor solution to fill the airlock all the time and never had any issue doing so.

It hasn't been mentioned, but the cap, at least on my airlocks, have little holes in them.

Edit...Oops, strider beat me to it.

Once in a great while, the solution in the airlock will get sucked back into the vessel, for whatever reason. So whatever was in the airlock, is now in the beer. Vodka, thats cool. No-rinse cleanser, ok. Iodophor? Nasty looking, smelling brown stuff. I wouldn't want that in my beer.

Maybe it's fine, no off flavors, whatever. But if I have a choice, I'll use something else in the airlock. Just personal preference.

shrades · 01-30-2009, 09:12 PM

I kept mine off the first time too, but found a dead Boxelder bug in it. To much vodka for it I guess. But I keep my cap on now.

**ShortSnoutBrewing** · 01-30-2009, 09:42 PM

I guess where I'm coming from is Iodophor is a no rinse sanitizer. I'm not putting straight Iodophor in the airlock, so it's not brown nasty looking. I don't get every last drop out of the carboy when I'm using it to sanitizer it. The amount that MAY fall back into the beer is so inconsequential I don't see the need to fear it.

But as you said, personal preference. Just curious why one would say NEVER use something.