Blow off tube ?

Based on what I have read. You are supposed to remove the blow off tube after active fermentation completes. Replacing them with air locks.

If I am planning on using a secondary is there really a point in doing it that way? Maybe the difference from 3-4 days to 7-10.

Maybe it is a sanitary issue. Certainly removing to blow off tube earlier makes it easier to clean. What do you guys think?

Cheers!!!

I've gone both ways - leaving it on till secondary and taking it off and putting on an airlock - and I don't think it makes a difference at all. I only take off the blowoff tube because it's easier to clean it out right after fermentation slows down than when it dries out.

i always leave mine in

brewhead said:

i always leave mine in

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I've never seen someone use a PVC pipe, I might have to try that.

leave the joints friction fit to break it down and clean it

Thank you guys that is what I figured...

Very cool Brewhead!

brewhead said:

i always leave mine in

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Now, that is cool... I normally just put 5g into a 6.5g carboy and use an airlock. The krausen has never gotten near the top.

In the rare isntance I did use a 6g or 5g carboy though I've fitted the mouth of the carboy snug with 1"+ tubing, but it definitely was a PITA. I will definitely think about doing this PVC blowoff now. Good idea!

u can use a regular bung that u use for the airlock. however i have found that some of my really big beers would produce a lot of flocculent and stop up the small hole.

so if you will take your step bit, turn the bung upside down, and drill out the center piece - you will then have lots of clearance for a ny flocculant and krausen. i would suggest grain alcohol for sanatizing the bung assembly as star san makes things very slippery and it will just slide out of the carboy mouth until it's dry

Thanks for the tips, sir!

I leave my blowoff hooked up the whole time I'm in primary. That's about 7-14 days for me. If I for some reason don't use the blowoff, I use a rubber stopper with foil wrapped over it. I like to live on the edge :rockin:

I use a blow off tube for primary. When ready to rack to secondary, I'll remove the blow off and replace with an airlock and leave that on until packaging.