Airlock

[humble17]

So I've got my wort fermenting in the plastic bucket that came with my kit. I have major foam an bubbles come up and actually out of the airlock. Is that ok, normal, do I need to do anything?

Thanks for the help!

 

[ArcaneXor]

Are you referring to the liquid in the airlock foaming up, or foam from the fermentor making its way to the airlock?

In the first case, that's normal if you use a foaming sanitizer in your airlock. In the latter case, you'll want to remove the airlock, clean it and replace it, or (even better), install a piece of blow-off tubing. This is nothing but a sanitized piece of tubing inserted into the lid grommet that leads into a small vessel containing sanitizer. A blow-off setup allows that foam to leave the fermentor without making a mess or risking infection.

 

[kh54s10]

It is normal. You need to install a blow off tube. Do you have any vinyl tubing. Look for some that will fit into the hole and put the other end in a jar of sanitized water solution or vodka and make sure it is a below or the same height as the bottom of the bucket so that it will not siphon back into the bucket. Put the jar in a bucket or plastic storage box in case it overflows.

Search "blow off tubes"

 

[humble17]

Ok, so this is what I did. I attached some sanitized hose into the airlock and have it running into a bowl with sanitized ways in it. I re-sanitized the airlock prior root inserting it. The Kraussen (sp) seems to be running down the tubing an into the bowl now.

Correct?

How long do I leave the blow of tube in?

 

[thx997303]

Now you let the beer ferment.

By the way, really like your idea of using the airlock body. What size tubing did you use?

 

[Hang Glider]

a few days will be fine, then it will subside.
part of a vigorous blow off can be caused by high fermentation temps - they cause the yeast to get too excited (which will cause off-flavors).

I don't see any kind of temperature control involved here, so my question is what temperature is your wort? (keep in mind, the first few days that active fermentation will be from 5-10F over the ambient temps in the room)...

 

[humble17]

My stick on thermometer is reading at 74F. I have it on the floor in my bar area. The floor stays quite cool which is why I put it there. I was going to give it a few days then move it to a back room near a window as its quite cool where I live. Didn't want to disturb the brew by moving it unnecessarily.

 

[humble17]

Now you let the beer ferment.

By the way, really like your idea of using the airlock body. What size tubing did you use?

I used the tubing that came with my kit. 1/4 inch I believe.

 

[humble17]

Meant 72 degrees F not 74.

 

[GASoline71]

By the way, really like your idea of using the airlock body. What size tubing did you use?

The LHBS place I go set me up the exact same way with a blowoff tube using a plastic hose on the airlock nipple. Pretty slick.

Gary

 

[ArcaneXor]

Just gotta make sure you have one of the airlocks that have a plain opening at the bottom, not one of those that has a a plastic cross opening. The latter can and will clog when the beer blows off.

 

[NordeastBrewer77]

Just gotta make sure you have one of the airlocks that have a plain opening at the bottom, not one of those that has a a plastic cross opening. The latter can and will clog when the beer blows off.

good point, cut the tip off of the airlock stem. most of them are either tapered and/or have that little 'x', so trim that off so the openings as wide as possible.

FWIW. the bungs that aren't solid and drilled, but the other kind that are molded (great description, huh) will fit a 5/8" diameter tube over the outside of the airlock hole. a guy at midwest supply set me up like that when i was getting/needing my first blow off tube. works pretty well.