Help! Fouling in the airlock.

[hotforhops]

Cherry apple cider with some wine yeast keeps fouling the airlock. 4 days in. I thought I gave it enough air space but apparently not. What can I do? I also have a pineapple on the go and it's bulking up and will push out within the day. Can I leave the airlock off and just let it gush until it's all pushed out? Don't have access to a blow off. Help would be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Takuie]

When I make ciders and wines, I don't airlock for the first 4-5 days. Normally I just cover my bucket with a towel and let it ride. Sounds to me like you need to switch to a blowoff. Quick run to a lowes/ Home Depot and a $10 bill should get you set up. In the mean time, you should be fine removing the air locks and just clean up any spewage you may have. There is a ton of c02 there to protect your batch. Once it settles, then put in your air locks

 

[flars]

Make a blow off chute using plastic wrap or a bread bag. Shape the plastic wrap around a cardboard tube or pipe about the same size as the carboy mouth or a little larger. A bread bag can just be taped around the carboy mouth. Sanitize it well after forming it. Tape it to the carboy.

Your blow off will ooze down the side, but will prevent fruit flies from getting in.

 

[hotforhops]

Thanks for the info. I'll see what I can do. Btw I have #6 bungs but they won't stay in the growler, they keep popping out. They fit when the jug and stopper are dry but when wet with sanitation solution they won't stay in. Tried drying the plug and top neck of jug (gal growler) but that only works occasionally. Was thinking of getting some #5s and trying that. Any suggestions?

 

[hotforhops]

How do I get the bung and airlock to stay in the 1 gal growler. When dry they fit fine but any moisture and they just keep popping off. tried drying b4 putting on but only works occasionally. Thinking of getting some #5s instead of the #6s that I use. Thanks for any help.

 

[flars]

The new size may work for you. I have seen photos where copper wire was used to hold the bung into the neck of the jug or carboy. Sort of like the wire on some sparkling wines to secure the cork in the bottle.

 

[UncleRusty]

I have some older rubber bungs that have stretched and don't tend to stay in carboys very well... for those, just a bit of duct tape will do the trick from preventing them from sliding out over time due to pressure and wetness. As long as you get good contact to both the glass and rubber (dry) this works fine and stays for months.

 

[hotforhops]

Lol I did the duct tape thing and my husband thought I was nuts! Hopefully the new bungs fit when they arrive. I'll let you know. It's just a pain to take off and put back on if it's necessary to remove and replace. Thanks!

 

[hotforhops]

I've seen some photos with a bung that looks like rubber top stretched over the top of the bottle. Does anyone know where I might get some? Don't forget I'm from Ontario Canada. (I know I know good luck)

 

[phug]

Toronto brewing has them, they're universal carboy caps.


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[hotforhops]

Thanks so much! Appreciate the info.

 

[hotforhops]

Got some bourbon vanilla beans and wondered when I should be adding them to the cider. Was thinking after I've racked to secondary. How can I clean the beans or should I? Thinking many dirty hands may have touched the beans and I want to make sure I don't contaminate the batch. Maybe I should steep them and add to the secondary? Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[flars]

Steep the beans in some good bourbon for a few days. That should take care of most bacteria that is out here.

 

[hotforhops]

Thanks. Will do.