Foamed out airlock several times...

Hi

I'm new to here and beer brewing. I am making my first batch and the airlock kept filling with foam. It even blew the plug out at one point.

I've cleaned and replaced it several times now and it's getting annoying.

I read here that the foam is supposed to subside a bit?

I don't have materials right now for a blow-off, my kit didn't come with it and no one at the store (and they were helpful and knowledgeable) told me I might need one or anything. Messy and annoying.

For now I have it in the guest bathroom, but as luck would have it, all this started happening when my girlfriend and her brother got back from a trip, so he'll of course want to take a shower at some point I suppose that's not a big issue, but what's really annoying is cleaning that airlock over and over.

Any suggestions? Is everything going to be ok?
With all the foam in the airlock and plug blowing out (time unattended while I was asleep...though not long, I got up early) is there any chance of it being tainted? I've been really thorough with cleaning everything. Airlock cleaned with iodine and boiled water each time. Slightly misshaped the airlock now too as a result...

Another good question. What's a sufficient cleaning product so I don't have to boil water all the time? I got iodine from the drug store..but even diluted it's a small bottle and stains. I got a bag of PBW with the kit, used it on cleaning carboy and other stuff though. Is that it? More PBW? Has to be an easier way of cleaning stuff when I have to keep cleaning the airlock every 6 hours.

Help??

Thanks!

P.S.

Fermentation into 36 hours right now and I can say with each time there's foam into the airlock there's less. It's not "exploding" the plug off anymore and only did once. Less foam in the airlock too with each "reset".

I have had my lid blow and still have beer stains on my textured celing that I can't get off. A simple blowoff is a good investment...and a cheap one.

...and a hard one to get in the middle of the night
I will get one for next time...

I guess I'm a little concerned though about everything being ruined.

Don't worry about it if there's that much pressure inside, nothing bad can get in.

here are some ideas to consider.

You didn't mention the type of airlock (or i missed it if you did) but you can usually attach tubing to the stem of the 3 piece airlock and make that a blowoff tube. Sure it doesn't have the inner diameter that some might prefer, but in a pinch that would have worked just fine. Also cut that little 'x' on the 3piece that goes into the primary. That just acts as a place to clog up and allow the pressure to build.

I'd recommend StarSan for your sanitation needs, it's great no-rinse sanitizer...keep some in a spray bottle as well.

I'm sure your beer will be fine...this has happened to me before and my beer turned out fine. Like others have said, with that much pressure going out...not much will go in!

cheers.

You have a lively beer going there. It's all fine.

If you can't get a blow off rigged, use a sanitized sauce pot to reach in and scoop off the top 2-3 inches of krausen. That will buy you several hours until the fermentation slows some.

cool thanks guys.
actually ok so here's where i cringe... i sanitized a tube and siphened some out. it's a plastic water cooler bottle type carboy... i couldn't scoop out krausen. i'm hoping all this means is i have less beer on my hands. i didn't take out a lot, maybe an inch or two. i just wanted to make more room.

hoping that was all ok...

thanks for the tips and i really like the idea of the spray bottle with star san. sounds very handy.

oh also, will the foam subside? or do i have to deal with this for two weeks?

You'll be fine. You may want to consider a 7.5 gallon bucket for future primary fermentations and reserve the smaller better bottle for secondary (clearing).

Yes, the krausen will subside, but timing will vary depending on the yeast strain you used.

cool thanks.
and for unanswered specifics. plastic airlock, one big piece, the cover, and the cap.
i know how i could get a smaller hose on the main piece for a blow off in the future.

i am using bavarian wheat malt extract (dry) and white labs liquid yeast for hefe weisen.
..sterling hops. if that matters.

The combo of wheat malt and hefe yeast are your key drivers in a violent fermentation. It's a good thing though.