Airlock blew off during primary fermentation

[triptens]

I was gone for 2 days, came back home and found it oozing with krausen. I just put a new sanitized one on and now there's no bubbles. Could it have just finished most of it's fermentation already? It's a DIPA.

 

[erikpete18]

Its possible, especially if you pitched a good amount of yeast and/or the temp was fermenting warm. Let it sit for a few more weeks, then come back and test it with your hydrometer, the bubbles aren't the greatest indicator. If you just put it back on and fermentation slowed down, it will take a little bit to build up enough pressure to move the airlock. But in general airlocks aren't a great indicator, just another tool we can use. Trust your hydrometer in a few weeks after leaving it on the yeast.

Oh yeah, definitely get a set up for a blow-off tube. If you are using carboys a 1" tube will fit perfectly into the mouth. If you are using buckets, you can hook a tube up to the middle of the 3-piece airlocks (not sure the size, do a search). Stick the other end of the tube in a bucket of sanitizer and you've just made yourself a giant, blow-off proof airlock. Unless you're looking for an awesome way to paint your walls .

 

[avidhomebrewer]

That's why I use a blowoff tube for primary. Don't have to worry about that with a blow-off setup.