If this has been covered....forgive me....just hit me upside the head with the links.
I have heard the debate of whether to airlock your starter or just loosely cover it. The Theory being that the loose cover, be it a piece of foil, loose lid, or foam stopper, would allow oxygen to enter the liquid....which of course is beneficial.....and the air-lock of course would allow no oxygen in. I question this theory. Here is why.
Co2 is heavier than oxygen, we all know that. During fermentation the yeast activity is creating a positive pressure inside the vessel......so we have a constant flow of Co2 out of the vessel. Knowing this.... how is leaving the cover loose going to allow oxygen in?
I have heard the debate of whether to airlock your starter or just loosely cover it. The Theory being that the loose cover, be it a piece of foil, loose lid, or foam stopper, would allow oxygen to enter the liquid....which of course is beneficial.....and the air-lock of course would allow no oxygen in. I question this theory. Here is why.
Co2 is heavier than oxygen, we all know that. During fermentation the yeast activity is creating a positive pressure inside the vessel......so we have a constant flow of Co2 out of the vessel. Knowing this.... how is leaving the cover loose going to allow oxygen in?