Airlock concerns-pic attached

[Pelican521]

Hi all, this is my second brew, a Racer 5 clone I did Tuesday. I woke up today to see my airlock a little crooked. At first I thought my kids hit into it or something, but under closer inspection I noticed all this (see pic). I thought there was plenty of head space in a 6 gal bucket to worry about this happening. Is this normal? Didn't happen on my first brew...

 

[Pelican521]

Sorry, I hit send before I attached my pic like a dummy. Here's the pic

 

[ArcaneXor]

It's normal. Remove it, clean it, sanitize it and replace. If it happens again, replace the airlock with a blowoff assembly - a piece of sanitized tubing jammed into the grommet of the lid that leads to a jug of sanitizing solution - that allows the yeast to travel freely.

 

[cluckk]

Just grab a few feet of hose that fits in the airlock port and run the free end into a container of sanitizer. I start all beers this way just in case. When the Kraeusen drops I replace it with an airlock.

 

[Pelican521]

Thanks for the quick replies. Going to pick up some hosing today. There's some angry yeast in that there bucket!

 

[glenn514]

I have been using a blow-off on ALL my brews for the first 48-72 hours of fermentation. When the extremely vigorous, almost violent fermentation is over, and it's bubbling nicely, I replace the blow-off with a regular 3-piece airlock. I might not need the blow-off on every brew, but I like the peace of mind it gives me!

glenn514

 

[unionrdr]

Def start initial fermentation with a blow off rig. But when you insert the airlock,it doesn't need to be crammed all the way down. Just far enough to get it in snugly. I always felt this gives that lil extra head space for the krausen. Better in then out krausen-wise.

 

[CBU123]

I have only done 7 brews so far, I always use a blow off rig until the aggressive fermentation stops. After reading about and seeing all of the horror stories here about what can happen without, it seems a good idea. While I have only had one that probably ended up needing it, it's such a nice safety measure for so little work.

Chris

 

[DUNKELMONK]

Attack of the Kraeusen! I had the same problem on one of my batches. Normally I use a bucket for Primary, and have never had this issue before. I used the primary on this batch w/o a blowoff hose and now I have sticky wort to clean up...

 

[DUNKELMONK]

... I used the primary* on this batch w/o a blowoff hose and now I have sticky wort to clean up...

*carboy

 

[Pelican521]

I've seen some real horror stories but I didn't think I'd have to worry since I was using my brew bucket. Usually I see people having issues with carboys and overflow.

Good thing I used vodka in my airlock I guess...

 

[tre9er]

But when you insert the airlock,it doesn't need to be crammed all the way down. Just far enough to get it in snugly.

Was gonna say the same thing. Just put the first 1/2" or so into the grommet. Gives you more room for krausen.

 

[unionrdr]

Yeah,I always figured the more room the krausen has to expand & not go out the airlock.