Got a short fridge, need a short blow off tube

[Bronco1500]

So Im a newbie. 3 cooks so far. As a newbie Im making adjustments.
I have a small "beer fridge" that came with the bbq island I bought. Never used it. The inside dimensions are 14 x 15 x 21. So a carboy will fit....not with a airlock tho. The carboy is roughly 19in. So I have 1.75"ish to the top.

I would like to use this fridge for about a week after pitching the yeast, and also as a cold break before racking into bottles.

So, here is my issue- Im inpatient. My 2 carboys are full with deliciousness. Id like to make a blowoff tube that is under 2 inches tall. I was thinking that it could take a 90 degree turn out of the top then a gentle turn to the other container. I already have the bbq/cook/bottle day set with friends and loved ones coming over to share in the festivities. Id like to have the "new" blow off tube ready to go so there is little down time. We are going to bottle, clean/sanitize, and re-fill the carboy the same day.

Any thoughts ? Im sure this has come up to others, but I cant find the answer...

Any help would be greatly appreciated by me, not my liver

Cheers

 

[Bronco1500]

I tried to embed a video of my airlock overflowing here. I guess my internet kung-fu is lacking.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MExbUAsyA7w" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[de3isit]

Here is a PVC set up I am using. It uses a street 90 with a piece of 1-1/4" tubing to make the connection air tight.

 

[Bronco1500]

ooooooo..... that looks perfect !!!

Is that 1" pvc ? 3/4 ?

thanks !!

 

[RM-MN]

Wrap saran wrap over the top of your carboy and secure it with a rubber band. Use a sharp knife and poke a small slot in it. This will be your airlock and will be less than .02" tall. Set the carboy in a shallow pan to catch any overflow.

 

[Boohausen]

also a bung and a tube that fits the hole where a air lock would go, then a small glass of water on the side with the tube from the carboy submerged in the water. cheap simple and works.

 

[de3isit]

ooooooo..... that looks perfect !!!

Is that 1" pvc ? 3/4 ?

thanks !!

Yes.

 

[kanta]

Rubber bung into carboy lid and then 3/8 thin wall tubing into the hole of the stopper

 

[jetmac]

I use this "dry-lock"

I wrap the carboy with a black plastic bag in case of a blow over

 

[prrriiide]

Get one of these

and stick it in your bung hole. Connect to a blow-off hose. Done.

LINK

90 Degrees Elbow, Barb To Barb Connection, Barb Size 3/8 In, Material of Construction Polyethylene, Temp Range -80 To 200 Deg F, Max Pressure 150 PSI, Color Black

 

[jetmac]

Get one of these

and stick it in your bung hole. Connect to a blow-off hose. Done.

LINK

The "dry-lock" is cheaper

 

[jpc]

Get one of these

and stick it in your bung hole. Connect to a blow-off hose. Done.

LINK

OK... Now I have an elbow and blow-off tube sticking out of my arse. How does this help my beer?

 

[jetmac]

OK... Now I have an elbow and blow-off tube sticking out of my arse. How does this help my beer?

Stick the end of the hose in your beer for more co2

 

[prrriiide]

Stick the end of the hose in your beer for more co2

DON'T DO THAT!!!! The methane will inhibit head retention and drive off vital hop aromas.

 

[jetmac]

DON'T DO THAT!!!! The methane will inhibit head retention and drive off vital hop aromas.

Oh, there'll be some aromas

 

[Bronco1500]

So I took the carboy to home depot. After 30 min I ended up using the rubber stopper for a table leg/cane. I drilled the rubber plug and placed 3/4" pvc tube then vinyl tube into an empty gatorade bottle. As it ended up everything fit perfect. Not a milimeter to spare, but it is air tight and working. I think I will switch to using a bucket as my primary. Just a bit shorter and easier to clean.

 

[jetmac]

I would suggest removing the drawer to give you more space.

But hey, what you did works. Good job.

 

[Distroid]

Nice work, Bronco1500. ^5