Blew the cap off - probably screwed?

[snark218]

Well, my first batch ever is not going that well. I blew the lid off the primary fermenter - my own dumb fault, I neglected to use an airlock or blowoff. I am using a 6.5gal PET carboy and it was completely uncapped when I returned home from work. I've been away for 12 hours, so it might have been anywhere around there. There's a thick head of foam on the beer and it's bubbling away like crazy.

Now that I've vented many expletives, how screwed am I?

 

[Demon]

Not screwed at all. Are you just using a sealed lid with no airlock? If so, sanitize some foil and use that instead. The pressure inside needs a place to vent. You're beer will be just fine.

 

[NorthRiverS]

With all that gas (C02) going out, nothing bad can get in. Just get a blow off tube or air lock on the fermentor. You'll be fine.

NRS

 

[unionrdr]

especially with a carboy. I'd think that the small opening would make it harder for nasties to get in. I agree with the blow off rig. I use them for the 1st few days of initial fermentation.

 

[BigTerp]

Try some Fermcap-S next batch. Not only does it help prevent boil overs, it keeps your krausen to a managable level in the primary.

 

[malkore]

Try some Fermcap-S next batch. Not only does it help prevent boil overs, it keeps your krausen to a managable level in the primary.

doesn't help when there's no airlock, on a sealed fermenter though...like the OP said was the case. No airlock, no blowoff tube...i.e. capped carboy.

 

[brrit]

Blowoff is good! As several other folks have said, the CO2 will push out any nasties.

You're on the right track!

 

[Jayman931]

I'm staring at my carboy and I can already tell its gonna foam over...no worries...when it chills out...sanitize airlock...pop it back on and relax...