Anybody not use an airlock?

[Phunhog]

I was listening to one of the older Brewing Network podcasts with Jamil and Chris White( White Labs) and they suggested NOT putting on an airlock during the first few days of fermentation. They suggested just putting a big piece of sanitized foil loosely covering the opening of the carboy. I do this for my yeast starters with the notion that you get better exchange of gases
(O2) and reduces the "back pressure" on the yeast. They went on to say that after high krausen THEN put in an airlock. So does anybody have any experiences with this?

 

[Dunerunner]

No, but it does make sense that reducing the hydraulic pressure on the yeast could create a better environment for them to make alcohol in!

I either have a airlock fixed or a blow-off tube. I too use the aluminum foil for my starters.

 

[Dynachrome]

I wrap the aluminum foil on my head to keep out cosmic rays....

As far brewing goes, I just set a top on the gallon HDPE buckets I use.

I got a carboy for Christmas. I've brewed three batches since then and haven't seen the need to use the carboy yet.

I don't let it sit for very long after it is finished fermenting though. That is to avoid oxidation.

 

[kcpup]

Yes, I do the practice you describe, and largely due to the Brew Strong episode you reference.

Depending on the yeast and its fermentation habits, I'll do one of two things:
1. "Civilized" yeasts (Pacman and others who don't attempt to climb out of the fermenter): I use the three piece "bubbler" airlocks. I will put a piece of sanitized foil on top of an EMPTY airlock. Foil keeps a random "bug" from dropping in. There is no pressure on the yeast, CO2 escapes freely. When the krausen drops and convection has slowed considerably, I simply remove the foil and fill the airlock with StarSan.
2. "Climbers" (WLP400, and others that like to climb out of the fermenter): I use Better Bottles and use their blowoff cap. It connects to 3/4 inch pvc pipes and fittings. This allow room for the yeast to climb out and there's still no pressure on the yeast. The pipe is wide enough not to get clogged. I watch for convection to slow and replace with a filled airlock.

This works beautifully for me and I have no problems with attenuation.

Hope this helps.

Cheers

 

[FRS]

I can buy that O2 diffusion in is beneficial, but the pressure argument smells like BS to me. Let's say a 3-piece airlock has about 1 cm of water, vertically, the CO2 has to escape through. That amounts to less than 0.02 psi.

Am I missing something?

I too use the Al-foil method, its worked well for me so far.

 

[kcpup]

I can buy that O2 diffusion in is beneficial, but the pressure argument smells like BS to me. Let's say a 3-piece airlock has about 1 cm of water, vertically, the CO2 has to escape through. That amounts to less than 0.02 psi.

Am I missing something?

I too use the Al-foil method, its worked well for me so far.

I'd suggest you listen to the referenced episode. It's from a couple of years ago. Brew Strong, and I'm pretty sure the title has Chris White's name in it.

 

[helgibelgi]

When I thought about this question I immediately thought the answer was yes, but then discovered it was no and realized I had just dreamt that I fermented a batch without an airlock, even without any lid. Weird lol, but now I'm excited to try it!

 

[william_shakes_beer]

I was listening to one of the older Brewing Network podcasts with Jamil and Chris White( White Labs) and they suggested NOT putting on an airlock during the first few days of fermentation. They suggested just putting a big piece of sanitized foil loosely covering the opening of the carboy. I do this for my yeast starters with the notion that you get better exchange of gases
(O2) and reduces the "back pressure" on the yeast. They went on to say that after high krausen THEN put in an airlock. So does anybody have any experiences with this?

The problem with using foil is that you selective encourage the yeast that wears white polyester leisure suits, mutton chop sideburns and dances wildly to "stayin' alive" i'ts not a pretty picture

 

[spearko520]

I can buy that O2 diffusion in is beneficial, but the pressure argument smells like BS to me. Let's say a 3-piece airlock has about 1 cm of water, vertically, the CO2 has to escape through. That amounts to less than 0.02 psi.

Am I missing something?

I too use the Al-foil method, its worked well for me so far.

i guess i'll give the show a listen, but i was thinking the same thing about pressure through a clean, unclogged airlock- that being that the water column is basically non existent.