Help for a first timer

[Axeloid]

Hello there! So, I started my first brew, an American Pale Ale. Did all the steps as the recipe said, then added the yeast. 2-3 days in, lots of stuff floats up, and starts clogging the airlock. Is this normal? I'll add a picture down below. Thanks in advance for any help at all!

 

[mongoose33]

Yes, the "stuff" is normal. What you don't have is enough headspace in the fermenter to keep things inside. It's called a blowoff.

From the looks of the pic it appears the krausen (that's the "stuff" you see on top) has subsided a bit, so you should be OK going forward.

Is the airlock bubbling? If it's not, take a 4" square of aluminum foil, sanitize it, then remove the airlock and put the foil over the stopper. Then clean out the airlock, sanitize it, fill w/ liquid as before (sanitizer), and reinstall the airlock.

 

[SEndorf]

No worries!
All looks good. The airlock will find what it needs.

 

[Axeloid]

Yes, the "stuff" is normal. What you don't have is enough headspace in the fermenter to keep things inside. It's called a blowoff.

From the looks of the pic it appears the krausen (that's the "stuff" you see on top) has subsided a bit, so you should be OK going forward. Is the airlock bubbling?

Yes, the airlock is bubbling quite a bit. Thank you very much for the quick reply, appreciate the help! That's a relief.

 

[Hoppy2bmerry]

@Axeloid you have fermentation, that is looking fine. As stated above, more head space would help to prevent it from filling the airlock. Some of us use a tube that bubbles into a container with some sanitizer or even water.

 

[Axeloid]

Thank you everyone on this thread! Next time I'll leave some more headspace. Highly appreciate the quick replies.

 

[Soulshine2]

Hello there! So, I started my first brew, an American Pale Ale. Did all the steps as the recipe said, then added the yeast. 2-3 days in, lots of stuff floats up, and starts clogging the airlock. Is this normal? I'll add a picture down below. Thanks in advance for any help at all!

looks great. use a blow-off tube from now on. I started a few batches ago. First 24-48 hrs blow-off tube then the regular 3 piece airlock after that .

 

[kh54s10]

I start every fermentation with a blow off tube installed. I rarely switch it out for an airlock after the krausen subsides.

 

[Axeloid]

Hello again! Just wanted to thank you all again, and update my beer situation! It is kegged, and tastes great! Farewell, and good luck on your future beer making!