Can a silicon seal affect fermentation?

[SeamusOG]

I live in a remote part of South East Asia and professional brewing equipment is non existent.

I have no access to rubber seals or rings and am wondering if I can seal my airlock to the fermenting cap with silicon.

It has a pungent and almost toxic smell and I'm worried it will contaminate my brew.


All thoughts and comments welcomed.
Cheers


Shay

 

[earwig]

I would order one online or just cover the hole with something else and not use an airlock.

 

[JefeTheVol]

Well I used to work in an ecology lab in college and we cultured all kinds of protists and bacteria. I once built a network of linked microcosms and used silicon to seal them together and I remember reading that after it dries it is non-toxic up to 600 degrees F. Of course this was for bacteria and protists...Im not sure for fungi but I assume it will be ok.
-Jefe-

 

[Mongrel]

I'm hoping to get back to SE Asia soon (Northern Thailand), what's the Laotian take on homebrew? Not legal in Thailand, but the AC in my old apartment would never have kept good, consistent ferment temps.

 

[wyzazz]

No need to seal it, although I'm sure the silicone would be fine AFTER it's cured. Just put the lid on loosely and let it ride!

 

[theredben]

If you check the label/website you should find that silicone is mixed with acetic acid(vingear) as a solvent. That acrid smell is just vinegar if you live in North America/Europe. I would wager that it is the same where you are.

Aquarium people have dealt with this issue for years. As long as the label says 100% silicone, then in North America, it is only vinegar.

 

[wyzazz]

If you check the label/website you should find that silicone is mixed with acetic acid(vingear) as a solvent. That acrid smell is just vinegar if you live in North America/Europe. I would wager that it is the same where you are.

Aquarium people have dealt with this issue for years. As long as the label says 100% silicone, then in North America, it is only vinegar.

I don't want vinegar in my beer. Besides, unless you're in a really dusty environment no bacteria is going to climb up and in to your beer. You could put a big piece of sanitized foil over the top of the bucket and be just fine.

 

[ReefkprZ]

If you check the label/website you should find that silicone is mixed with acetic acid(vingear) as a solvent. That acrid smell is just vinegar if you live in North America/Europe. I would wager that it is the same where you are.

Aquarium people have dealt with this issue for years. As long as the label says 100% silicone, then in North America, it is only vinegar.

not completely true, they can add anti fungal and anti bacterial additives to the silicone and sell it as 100% silicone.

the smell yes is acetic acid off gassing as the silicone cures. vinegar has acetic acid in it (usually about 3-5%) so you get the vinegary smell.

for non contaminating silicone you would want "GE silicone II" or go to your local pet store and buy "aquarium silicone" (same thing different package more expensive though) DO NOT use anything that says, "tub and tile" or "kitchen" almost all of them are treated with fungicides and yes they say 100% pure silicone.

OK now a question, you say fermenting cap are you using one of those rubber caps? that should be self sealing.

if your using a bucket you can make your own gasket super easy sanitize some plastic wrap, then roll it up to the thickness you need, wrap it around the base of the airlock and presto instant "rubber" gasket.