Cold crashing and my sanitizer is freezing.

[autonomist3k]

When cold crashing a lager my sanitizer for my blowoff tube freezes, what can I do to avoid that?

 

[ntculenuf]

I use vodka in my bubbler but in a blow off situation that would be expensive

 

[autonomist3k]

I was just thinking that, unfortunately all I have is flavored vodka and I'm worried about it getting sucked into the fermenter, I'll get some cheap stuff tomorrow.
Thanks.

 

[day_trippr]

Risky using a blow-off immersed in liquid when cold-crashing a tight fermenter. The reduced head space pressure as it cools can suck a prodigious amount of that blow-off bath right into the fermenter. Bad juju.

Switch to an s-lock filled to the proper level with cheap vodka...

Cheers!

 

[chisena]

Why do you need a blowoff tube after primary fermentation has ended and you're into the lagering phase? I would switch to an air lock at that point. But yeah... cheap Vodka I suppose would be an option.

 

[flars]

Raise the temperature of your keezer. You only need to chill not freeze the beer.

 

[Gavin C]

Raise the temperature of your keezer. You only need to chill not freeze the beer.

With the probe monitoring the carboy temperature during a crash the freezer will be running for a long period getting much lower than freezing ambient temps. The tiny liquid volume in the airlock it blowoff setup will freeze long before final crash temp is reached (30-32F). The beer in the carboy will not freeze if this is done however.

Easiest way to avoid it us to place some sanitized foil over the carboy instead. No need for an airlock at this point.

If you crash via ambient monitoring in a chamber the liquid won't freeze but will be sucked into the carboy as the air in the headspace contracts.

The starsan water in the airlock can only freeze if it is prevented from flowing back. The white plastic cap on a carboy hood can be removed if you want to not use the foil solution. It will melt again once the crash temp is reached.

Either way. No biggie. I try to prevent airlock liquid getting into the beer. No drama if it does though. I use starsan.

 

[brewguyver]

With the probe monitoring the carboy temperature during a crash the freezer will be running for a long period getting much lower than freezing ambient temps. The tiny liquid volume in the airlock it blowoff setup will freeze long before final crash temp is reached (30-32F). The beer in the carboy will not freeze if this is done however.

Easiest way to avoid it us to place some sanitized foil over the carboy instead. No need for an airlock at this point.

If you crash via ambient monitoring in a chamber the liquid won't freeze but will be sucked into the carboy as the air in the headspace contracts.

The starsan water in the airlock can only freeze if it is prevented from flowing back. The white plastic cap on a carboy hood can be removed if you want to not use the foil solution. It will melt again once the crash temp is reached.

Either way. No biggie. I try to prevent airlock liquid getting into the beer. No drama if it does though. I use starsan.

I take a similar approach using a carboy cap - putting the plugs back on does the trick.

 

[autonomist3k]

Easiest way to avoid it us to place some sanitized foil over the carboy instead. No need for an airlock at this point.

I love that idea and am putting it into practice immediately.

Thanks for all the help!

 

[autonomist3k]

Why do you need a blowoff tube after primary fermentation has ended and you're into the lagering phase? I would switch to an air lock at that point. But yeah... cheap Vodka I suppose would be an option.

Primary and diacetyl rest are done, I'm cold crashing before racking to the keg for laggering. Just for clarity.

 

[Gavin C]

I love that idea and am putting it into practice immediately.

Thanks for all the help!

I secure it with an elastic band. Not crucial though.

Edit: Glad to help.

 

[Supertrapped]

Just switched to kegging and cold crashed the fermenter first too. I used Star San in the airlock as well and it froze up yesterday. Hope it doesn't hurt my beer. But, I guess it shouldn't. It's just a tiny amount of sanitized water.

Anyway, I'll definitely do the foil method next time. Good to know.