Started my first batch of beer and it's been a blast. Literally. I've read numerous threads and have been wondering, why make a three way when the thing is just going to explode? Is a blow off valve normal when fermenting? How many of you use one? Thanks everyone your the best!
Blow off or three way?
- Thread starter kbrewing
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erikhild59
Well-Known Member
I always start with a blowoff and switch to a regular bubbler once high krauesen has passed.
WhiteMtnHausBier
Active Member
My first beer fermented like a beast and had a krausen all the way up to the bottleneck of the carboy and the airlock was so hummed up with residue I'm lucky the whole thing didn't explode. I quickly had to sanitize a bunch of stuff and set up a quick blow off.
However this morning I'm 22hrs into a Black IPA and the krausen seems to be minimal and I'm using a 3way, so I might just hold out and check it later today to see if a blow off will be necessary.
However this morning I'm 22hrs into a Black IPA and the krausen seems to be minimal and I'm using a 3way, so I might just hold out and check it later today to see if a blow off will be necessary.
i almost spit coffee on the screen when i read this^!! :rocking:
i use a blow off on most every batch. if it's a beer i've done a few times with the same yeast, i may skip it. but i always watch and if it looks at all like the krausen may go up, i get a blow off on there.
kraypd
Well-Known Member
I always use a 1" blow-off tube on my batches. With my yeast starter I am usually loaded up with 5.25G in a 6G carboy and the blow off tube saves a lot of hassle. I swap it out after about 5-6 days for a 3-piece so that I can clean up the gunk from the tubing etc...
william_shakes_beer
Well-Known Member
What the *&&^ is a 3 way? do you mean a 3 piece air lock or did you invent something I am not familiar with?
gavball6
Well-Known Member
Now that is a good subject to get a lot of views on... Continuing the pun, I actually prefer to hook up a 3-way and a blowoff (not at the same time!). Use the blowoff for the 1st few days, then switch to the 3-pc after the fermentation has started to slow.
When I started to reply the first time, I had exactly the same reaction. Blow off or three-way? Why can't they be combined?
Just sayin'....
gavball6
Well-Known Member
so you're saying the time to do the three way is after the blow off?
It does seem counter-intuitive, but that is what I am saying. If you do the three way first, there is the risk of an explosive discharge requiring a lot of cleanup!
A good blowoff contains the mess, a three way just has too many ways to get out of hand.
corkybstewart said:
I hear you but I think the argument is that, with careful planning, you can manage a three-way more securely if you've gotten the blow-off taken care of first. Perhaps it has to do with a release of pressure from an extremely hot "fermentating" situation, allowing a longer period of activity once you move on to the three-way?
gavball6
Well-Known Member
It also is very important to keep the environment as sterile as possible. I prefer star-san for a few reasons... First, it works as a pretty good lubricant to help reduce friction on the blow-off tube. Second, it is food-safe so if a little gets sucked in, it is okay.
gavball6 said:
ROFL! Nice.
When I first started reading the thread I thought he meant one of those feedback devices. It's like a plastic jar, two tubes, and an air lock on top. When all that yeast, krausen and Wort/beer gets in there it will just feed back into the carboy/bucket.
william_shakes_beer
Well-Known Member
I hereby formally apologize for encouraging some of our foul minded members to derail this thread.
