I have a blonde ale sitting in a 6 gallon better bottle primary right now with a three piece airlock (since Sunday). The carboy is sitting in a tub of water and covered with a t-shirt. The temperature has been steady around 64-66 degrees at most times, but has dipped to about 62 and gone up to about 70 at other times. When I came home today, the airlock was almost completely covered with dried stuff that looked and smelled like yeast (and so were several spots on the t-shirt). Here's what I did. I wiped off the airlock and stopper as best I could. Then, I tried to remove both pieces. The stopper seems to be stuck. I did remove the airlock though and rinsed it off. I then placed in back inside the stopper. I know this isn't ideal and I didn't have any sanitizing solution on hand, so I don't feel great about it. I felt like I needed to do something though because the pressure would have just continued to build up and I think it could have got messy pretty quickly. Next time I'll use a blowoff tube!
Here's are my questions. First, did I screw up? What should I do now? Second, how can I get that stopper out without pushing it all the way into my beer and doing something like fishing it out with a hanger or doing the bag blowup trick? Pushing the stopper all the way in seems like it would cause some really serious sanitation issues at this point. Next time I'll be careful not to push it in quite so far.
Thanks ahead of time!
**Edit: I just found a couple threads that suggest using a coat hanger, needle nose pliers, or a couple screwdrivers. I think I'll try those methods down the line. Any other suggestions?
Here's are my questions. First, did I screw up? What should I do now? Second, how can I get that stopper out without pushing it all the way into my beer and doing something like fishing it out with a hanger or doing the bag blowup trick? Pushing the stopper all the way in seems like it would cause some really serious sanitation issues at this point. Next time I'll be careful not to push it in quite so far.
Thanks ahead of time!
**Edit: I just found a couple threads that suggest using a coat hanger, needle nose pliers, or a couple screwdrivers. I think I'll try those methods down the line. Any other suggestions?