Explosive fermentation

[Shawnstve]

Hey, if my fermentation goes up and out of the air lock, do I need to worry about a anything? Is my brew ruined? I really wasn’t expecting this type of crazy fermentation. Haha!

 

[ehall]

if the airlock clogs, you can get enough pressure built up to 'explode'. either keep an eye on it and make sure it says clear or get a blow off tube hooked up.

 

[Ayzala]

^ That ^ and maybe change the water in your swamp cooler, that krausen gets funky quick.

 

[Shawnstve]

^ That ^ and maybe change the water in your swamp cooler, that krausen gets funky quick.

Yes for sure! I will very soon.

 

[Shawnstve]

if the airlock clogs, you can get enough pressure built up to 'explode'. either keep an eye on it and make sure it says clear or get a blow off tube hooked up.

Could I just replace the airlock with a new one? What’s a blow off tube?

 

[BrewingAroundtheRrealm]

A blow off tube is just a hose inserted in to the bung then run to a container of water or sanitizer. I use about 3 feet of 5/16" tubing in to a 2 liter flask. It's kind of like an oversized airlock

If fermentation has calmed down, usually about 24 - 36 hours after fermentation starts. You can just replace the airlock

 

[ehall]

 

[Ayzala]

I do ^that^ too, but there is a 4 point thing on the bottom that helps you push it through the bung. It does act like a trap of sorts and could clog easily. I cut all the little points off all mine (below the red line), problem fixed.

 

[Shawnstve]

I do ^that^ too, but there is a 4 point thing on the bottom that helps you push it through the bung. It does act like a trap of sorts and could clog easily. I cut all the little points off all mine (below the red line), problem fixed.
View attachment 694289

Mine doesn’t have that, it’s open at the bottom.

 

[Shawnstve]

View attachment 694288

Looks awesome!

 

[jimyoung]

+1 to the blowoff tube idea, and for checking the bottom of your airlock. I ended up buying a carboy cap so I can get a bigger opening to my tube... but then I ended up never using it as I got scared of glass and switched to a SS fermenter (yes, I know I'm a wimp) with a blow-off tube kit.

Congrats on the vigorous fermentation!

 

[Ayzala]

Mine doesn’t have that, it’s open at the bottom.

Then you are good to go! Happy fermenting!

 

[pdcm]

Make sure the other end of the blow-off tube goes into a bowl, glass or jar that has some sanitary liquid in it - star-san in a glass is common.

edit: fixed image

 

[jerbrew]

Recipient of an exploded carboy here. Blow off tube, yes.

I saw the airlock was gunky and thought "I should clean that right after I make some eggs" eggs hit the pan and it blew out the bottom. Happens quick.

 

[Bill B]

I had the same problem with my first brew and panicked. A friend suggested that I use a blow-off tube (had to YouTube to find out what that was). Second batch used a blow off tube and no problem. By the way, the "overflow" batch turned out just fine.

 

[Shawnstve]

Thanks everyone for the help.

 

[RevDroz]

I know this is an older thread but thought I would drop my 2 cents in. I had an airlock get filled with krausen about 4 months ago, ever since then I have only used a blow-off tube. My jar of sanitizer is about a gallon half filled with starsan since I usually have 2 fermenters going at once.

Anywho, just my input, take it for what it's worth and Happy Brewing!