How to clean an airlock...

[Ivan Lendl]

Everyone seems to think that one piece airlocks are hard to clean. Ive never had a problem, so heres my technique:

step one: rinse with water. simply placing the lock under the tap will rinse it real good. you can see in the pic water exiting the airlock through the bum.
step two : soak in hot soapy water. By completley submerging the lock, and with a couple of flip-flops to ensure all the air is out, the airlock is now completly submerged and filled with soap/water.this will loosen any crud that is in there. After the soak just repeat step one.
step three: soak in bleach. Once again completley submerge and manipulate the air bubbles out to ensure the bleach is touching every part of the bubbler. (for those without MAN HANDS use gloves.I usually leave it soak overnight, along with the stopper.This will ensure there is nothing left in there to cause problems. Afterwards repeat one.
step four and five: soak in iodophor, and shake. After soaking in iodophor and just before placing airlock on fermentor, simply shake the hell out of it to remove excess water and/or sanitizer.

 

[SwAMi75]

Damn. I don't use the bubblers, but if I get crud in a three piece I blast it out with the garden hose, soak in sanitizer, and use!

 

[Jester4176]

heh...man hands. Yet you're using rubber gloves.

 

[Spyk'd]

Those aren't gloves, his hands are just pink from soaking in bleach and rinsing with hot water!
:cross:

 

[Beer Snob]

You know... I have one.... I also have no idea why I use two piece airlocks as apposed to one. Like I said, I do have one, but always seem to reach for the two piece ones... dont know....

 

[Dude]

<GASP!> Bleach?

 

[Beer Snob]

Yeah your right.... no "real" brewer would ever use bleach Man.... it's hard to imagine that line ever getting old.....

 

[budbo]

Damn I keep a bucket of Star-san always around... I rinse mine in hot water (no gloves) store in a rubbemaid container, then toss them in the bucket for a bit before using.

 

[Dude]

Yeah your right.... no "real" brewer would ever use bleach Man.... it's hard to imagine that line ever getting old.....

LMAO....