Airlock question

[dhoyt714]

I know the basics in how an airlock works. I filled up the airlock up with water to the line, but the water goes into the plunger in the center. I had vodka in there put some how it leaked into the fermentor.

Is that normal?

 

[HollisBT]

If a little vodka got into your beer, it will be fine.

 

[cwsmitty]

If the beer is still cooling a little when you install the airlock, the change in air pressure in the fermenter will suck some of the vodka/water into the fermenter. Just release the airlock every now and then (to equalize the pressure) until the beer reaches room temperature. Shouldn't have any problems with anything being drawn back into the fermenter after that.

 

[lamppa]

try not to install the airlock when it will be cooling down.
Chill wort to 65 then pitch yeast and cap it up.

the wort should only be cooling in the kettle, not in the fermenter after yeast is pitched.


that said, The above is prob what is happening, just dont do it anymore.

 

[dhoyt714]

I thought I did cool it down enough. That won't affect the pitching of the yeast? There are air bubbles coming out, so I guess it can't be that messed up!

 

[lamppa]

sanitize a therm and test the temp before pitching. IMO, 75* is MAX temp. I cool to 65*

 

[dhoyt714]

In the fermentor there are only bubbles on one side is that strange?

 

[unionrdr]

No,that's fine. That's just how this particular ferment looks. If the wort only cools down a couple of degrees,it's usually fine. I've found that initial fermentation,in my case,only raises the ferment temp 2-3 degrees.
My sunset gold apa settled down at 19C (66.2F),Using the formula (C x 1.8C)+32 = F.