Always use a blowoff tube!

[unionrdr]

By the way,I thought I'd mention that it was called primary fermentation in days gone by. but so many of us don't use secondaries anymore,save for oaking or the like. So I changed the term to initial fermentation to more accurately describe the start of fermentation,which is the most vigorous.

 

[hoopdogg315]

thanks for the info guys! i went home and got things fixed before anything blew!!! whew...that had me concerned...

 

[Weizer]

I would be careful with doing it only on bigger beers - the type of yeast can be the factor that causes the blowout. The biggest beer I've ever fermented, the Chimay blue clone, didn't get close to blowing out. But all my hefes regularly have violent fermentations.

I've brewed every weekend since July of 2012 and only had 3 violent fermentations that required a blow off tube. 1 was a stout and the other 2 were an Imperial black ale.

EDIT
I do have violent fermentations frequently, but none that require use of a blow off tube.

 

[jsmcclure]

Just had my 1.051 porter with S-04 yeast climb out my airlock. I got lazy and didn't start with a blowoff. Still, not much of a mess and I got the blow off in before real damage. I like the tubing on the airlock idea though - pretty sweet! Leave it to Revvy

 

[Yooper]

I needed a blow off tube once, in summer of 2006. It was a wheat beer that got pretty warm and it was explosive. Otherwise, I've never needed one.

I use an 8 gallon bucket for a fermenter, usually.

Often, an explosive fermentation is one that got too warm. Since I tend to ferment most ales at 62-66 degrees (and pitch cooler than that), I rarely have a very active fermentation and usually with an 8 gallon bucket I have plenty of headspace for a 5.5 gallon batch.

 

[Roughster]

I bubbled into my airlock and popped the lid, but it looks like explosion was minimal. This was a Hefe. It now is sporting a blowoff tube. It will be my standard issue approach from now on! The hefe is going like a freight train at 3-4 bubbles a second on day 2.

 

[OkashiiBrew]

if it is a "good yeast bomb" you can smell it when you pull into the garage I always chance it when the OG is under 1.06 unless the faq for the yeast says it will blow. But then I have a fridge to control the temp and even more important, a SWMBO who has learned that I never learned.

 

[diodeart]

Had a couple of "thar she blows". I love when you pull an air lock and it sprays you in the face. Good times. This is my blow off for 15 gal batches. Everything was pretty snug but i taped it anyway.

 

[ODG34]

No messing around this batch!

 

[Cyclman]

Just had my National Homebrew Day More Fun Blonde foul the airlock, added a blowoff.

Off topic, damn it smells fantastic, I just love WLP 530 yeast!