FastFement users, check this out...

[redwing_al]

Hey everyone, I want to share what happened tonight with my FastFerment conical…

I brewed a solid IPA, OG 1.060, nailed all my numbers.. I did a 1L starter with Wyeast1056 and pitched… Well, 24 hours later not a sign of activity in the bubbler!? I recall that I didn’t necessarily aerate the wort as well as I normally do, so I was thinking that could be the reason.

I did a little research and thought heck, it’s only been a day. I’ll take this thing down and shake the heck out of it to wake it up. I came to the basement and the first thing that I noticed is that the valve was closed to the collection ball… I reached over and gave it a slight crack (and I do mean slight!) and this thing erupted like nothing I’ve ever seen. I’m talkin' Mentos in Diet Coke here… At this point there was nothing I could do. I threw a towel over the geyser and put a bucket underneath and walked away until it slowed down and I could come in and assess the situation. It was scary for a moment, could have been dangerous...

In any case, it calmed down to a point where I could add a blow off tube. I cleaned everything up and it’s bubbling away as expected.. But let this be a lesson and a warning to you all. Once you’ve pitched and wort has fell into the collection ball, keep that valve open or you’re gonna’ shoot ‘yer eye out!

I realize this is a rookie mistake, but the collection ball adds a whole ‘nuther dimension to think about. I likely ruined a few things and I don’t know if I did any damage to the ball valve or what-have-you, but I wanted to share this with you as the FastFerment conical is a relatively new item and like anything, there are some learning.

Anyone know if this will harm my beer in any significant way?

Here are a couple videos:

This is after it settled down a bit : http://youtu.be/NDlZVJz6eP0
This is the after clean up: http://youtu.be/kEEhylt3UOs

 

[DapperD]

WOW!! Sorry to see your tremendous failure.

I had a slightly similar event not too long ago when my blow-off tube became stuck to the sidewall of the container it was submerged in. After about 24hrs I came home to see a ton of activity in the carboy but no bubbling in container, I was perplexed, until flicked the tubing checking for a clog. That's when it discharged like a scene out of Dumb and Dumber lol. The brew turned out not too shabby but it wasn't to the extent as yours.

Good luck. Interested in hearing some feedback myself.

 

[Monkey-BB]

Thanks for the heads up Brother!
I have two of them and I can see how easy that could happen!
I think you'll be fine!
I always end up naming my beers after a brewing /and or fermenting screw up.

 

[redwing_al]

WOW!! Sorry to see your tremendous failure.

I had a slightly similar event not too long ago when my blow-off tube became stuck to the sidewall of the container it was submerged in. After about 24hrs I came home to see a ton of activity in the carboy but no bubbling in container, I was perplexed, until flicked the tubing checking for a clog. That's when it discharged like a scene out of Dumb and Dumber lol. The brew turned out not too shabby but it wasn't to the extent as yours.

Good luck. Interested in hearing some feedback myself.

LOL, well, I wouldn't call it a tremendous failure. Perhaps a Public Service Message, but a fail? Naaw, it'l drink..