I'm currently fermenting a vienna lager. I'm using a blow-off tube right now. I'm wondering if I can continue to use the blow-off tube or must I switch to an airlock, and when? What is the difference, if any, between the two? Thanks!
Blow-off Tube Question
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bigelowsbest
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As long as your blow off tube is submerged in water, it's essentially a giant airlock. I've left them on beers until they were done before with no problems
The only time I move from a blowoff to an airlock is if I'm sure primary/potentially explosive fermentation has passed, and:
-I need to move the fermentor out of my fermentation chamber
-It's time to bottle! (duh)
And, most most importantly:
-I'm going to cold crash
Cold crashing your brew will cause it to take in quite a bit of atmosphere as pressure increases with the temperature dropping. If your blowoff tube is still in a jug of starsan, it might pull all that right into your beer! S-shape airlocks are great for this since they work in both directions.
-I need to move the fermentor out of my fermentation chamber
-It's time to bottle! (duh)
And, most most importantly:
-I'm going to cold crash
Cold crashing your brew will cause it to take in quite a bit of atmosphere as pressure increases with the temperature dropping. If your blowoff tube is still in a jug of starsan, it might pull all that right into your beer! S-shape airlocks are great for this since they work in both directions.
