Cracked airlock

[Stocktonbrew]

Twice this month I have cracked the bottom of the 3 piece airlock trying to pull the bung off. I know they are inexpensive, but I have never had this problem before. Just wondering if China has compromised their super high quality or if i'm being too rough?

 

[JoeyChopps]

Are you getting them from Austin's? If so I've had the same problem. If I get three uses before I break one I feel pretty lucky. I'm going to try to source some better ones from eBay soon.

 

[jakenbacon]

I go through them things like a case of beer....

 

[Stocktonbrew]

I picked up mine from morebeer.

 

[Magic8Ball]

I have two from LHBS, all broke. Upside is I have replacement parts for the new airlocks.. it seems that the plastic covers and the inner bubbler tubes keep running off with my missing socks.

 

[VCTFernandes]

The s shaped airlock seems to be more resistent IMHO (bought at bruhaus ebay store)

 

[ChuckO]

A tip that I learned when using a glass airlock is to put a drop of glycerine on the stem before inserting it into the grommet. After it has been used, you can also put a drop on the stem where it goes into the grommet and slightly wiggle the airlock to get the glycerine into the grommet. Makes it a lot easier to remove without extra force.

 

[MikeDAdams]

To remove the airlock from the bung easier, i take out the inside part and the top.
I then put the bung and lock under HOT tap water till its warm.
It will then slide out alot easier.
I got tired of breaking them and found a way

 

[Stocktonbrew]

Thanks guys, i will try the hot water on the bung idea. I Just never broke them before and then I had two in a row. I guess my 12 oz. Curles are paying off!

 

[MikeDAdams]

Just run the hot water through the center of the airlock with the middle and top removed. maybe 30 sec to a min then run it over the bung. should come right out.
Other thing i did was start using the molded carboy stoppers.