airlock changeout and reverse siphoning

[r_marczak_83]

I was letting a batch of Oatmeal Stout set. The batch had been done fermenting for about a week and I had blow off tubes on them. I need the tubes for another batch I was cooking, so i took them off and put normal air locks on them. The airlocks are the S type ones and the sanitized water is going in the opposite direction than it is usually going.

I still want to give this beer until Dec. 5th before I bottle it.

So is this anything to care about or is it just what happens sometimes and doesnt amount to anything?

 

[MrHadack]

Yes, that can happen sometimes. What I (and many other people) do is fill the airlock with vodka instead of water. If any accidentally gets sucked back in it won't harm anything.

 

[r_marczak_83]

Ok Ill fill with Vodka

 

[r_marczak_83]

Will it be ok to keep taking the air lock off? Dont I introduce oxygen when I do this?

 

[r_marczak_83]

When I press on the carboy (plastic) I usually get it to belch a bubble or two.

With this scenario I can press hard on it and the water in the air lock doesn't even move.

Should I just call it good and bottle, then try and figure out what is up?

 

[mrdail87]

No need to worry about oxygen. CO2 is heavier than oxygen and will mostly stay in the carboy. You have to really let beer sit out or shake it to oxygenate it.

Also, the star san shouldn't affect your flavor. I might give a couple days extra if you were planning on bottling it right away just to be on the safe side.