TheBrahmanBrewer
Member
Hi - I have read plenty of threads here on fallen grommets / gaskets in the wort after trying to seal a very wet (from sanitizer) lid with the airlock. I brewed an experimental beer on Saturday and was in a rush to leave for a weekend trip with the family, so I left the rubber grommet in the fermenter thinking that it's sanitized and won't do any harm. My belief was confirmed by a lot of posts around this topic, but here is my question.
I didn't fasten the airlock after that and kinda left it lose / dangling in that hole on the lid. Three days later when I returned I checked that Krausen had risen and fallen back (looking at the leftover around the top of the pail). I see strong bubbling activity happening still and it smells very much like a good beer. Should I have take steps to seal the airlock with a duct tape or replacement grommet to ensure no further leakage or leave it be. The bucket is sitting in my basement which is relatively clean with no AC ducts/vents around it. As I mentioned, the airlock is still there in the hole, but it's not airtight. I wanted to know the potential oxygenation issues, etc. Obviously, I am a noob so I don't what risks I am taking on by leaving the airlock not so tightly sealed. I don't care about the bubbling activity and rely solely on gravity readings only.
Here is the experimental recipe if you are curious...I have no clue how it will turn out, but will also report that.
5.5 lbs Munich LME
3 lbs Pilsen DME
0.75 lbs Rice Syrup Solids
Simcoe Hops for bittering
Willamette Hops for flavor
Nottingham Ale yeast.
I didn't fasten the airlock after that and kinda left it lose / dangling in that hole on the lid. Three days later when I returned I checked that Krausen had risen and fallen back (looking at the leftover around the top of the pail). I see strong bubbling activity happening still and it smells very much like a good beer. Should I have take steps to seal the airlock with a duct tape or replacement grommet to ensure no further leakage or leave it be. The bucket is sitting in my basement which is relatively clean with no AC ducts/vents around it. As I mentioned, the airlock is still there in the hole, but it's not airtight. I wanted to know the potential oxygenation issues, etc. Obviously, I am a noob so I don't what risks I am taking on by leaving the airlock not so tightly sealed. I don't care about the bubbling activity and rely solely on gravity readings only.
Here is the experimental recipe if you are curious...I have no clue how it will turn out, but will also report that.
5.5 lbs Munich LME
3 lbs Pilsen DME
0.75 lbs Rice Syrup Solids
Simcoe Hops for bittering
Willamette Hops for flavor
Nottingham Ale yeast.