3-piece airlock

[emjay]

This might seem like a weird question, but is the round cap SUPPOSED to be on it while in use? Because recently I've been seeing pictures and they all appear to have it on. That doesn't make a huge amount of sense to me, seeing as how gas is supposed to escape... having the dome on top of the tube and filling it to the line with water seems to me that it should be all you need to create the airlock. It's always worked fine for me, but I want to know the way it's SUPPOSED to be used, and what the purpose of the cap is, if it has one.

 

[shroomzofdoom]

Yep, on. When it bubbles it's a beautiful thing...

 

[downinit]

Probably to keep the floating "dome" piece from becoming a projectile during an aggressive fermentation.

 

[BigB]

The cap is designed to allow the airlock to vent.

 

[Golddiggie]

The cap has several small holes in it, to allow excess CO2 to vent out. It also helps to reduce evaporation of what's inside the airlock (water, vodka, starsan, etc.)...

 

[emjay]

Doesn't the cap fly off? I don't understand how the thing that seals it can be what lets it "vent"

 

[FireDancer]

On mine the cap has two tiny holes on opposite sides. I bet (so to speak) if you take a close look you will see that the gas can easily escape the cap. It is true that the cap is not required for the device to operate, however it does keep things entacted when something unexpected comes along ... say like a dog's tongue ... heh heh.

 

[emjay]

The cap has several small holes in it, to allow excess CO2 to vent out. It also helps to reduce evaporation of what's inside the airlock (water, vodka, starsan, etc.)...

On mine the cap has two tiny holes on opposite sides. I bet (so to speak) if you take a close look you will see that the gas can easily escape the cap. It is true that the cap is not required for the device to operate, however it does keep things entacted when something unexpected comes along ... say like a dog's tongue ... heh heh.

Thanks for the very clear... clarification

I guess I should look at it closely next time before asking stupid questions

 

[Golddiggie]

Thanks for the very clear... clarification

I guess I should look at it closely next time before asking stupid questions

Usually looking at the item helps... Plus, the cap snaps on (you don't just rest it there) to keep it in place...

The cap does help prevent you from having a inebriated pet, if you use vodka in the airlock. Or a sick one (or worse) if you use sanitizer...

Personally, I just use filtered water in my airlock. The same water that I brew with. So far, no bad things have happened with proper airlock use... Also only had one foaming breech of the airlock.