Leak under airlock, is this a problem?

[dave8274]

I have a beer fermenting right now, and the airlock activity appeared to stop after a day. I figured that couldn't be right and took a peek in the bucket, and sure enough there was plenty of activity in there.

Taking a closer look, the back rubber stopper that holds the airlock in the bucket lid has peeled up a little, and that is obviously where air is escaping.

I usually leave my beer in primary for at least 3 weeks. I know that during active fermentation this shouldn't be a problem, but once it stops, will this leak be an issue that would risk infection?

Wondering if I need to grab a new bucket lit and replace it now or just do it before the next batch.

 

[user 144271]

do it next batch. The risk is lower if you leave it alone then if you remove the cover and expose even more air to it.

Unless it gets cold the fermenter should be slightly pressurized which will help keep out bugs

 

[RoadKing]

Allot of my lids don't fit tight and have little- no airlock activity. CO2 is heavier than air and will sit on top of the beer protecting it
as long as you don't keep opening it up to take samples etc..

 

[unionrdr]

I'd keep an eye on it. When initial fermentation finishes up,the beer starts to cool down a little,causing a partial vacuum inside the FV. It could then suck some air past that worn grommet hole. The amount of pressure in the fermenter changes over the course of fermentation. My fermenter stand is to my right,so I get to watch'em every day.

 

[dave8274]

I guess I'll leave it alone, but spray some sanitizer under the airlock on occasion until I bottle. Thanks!

 

[william_shakes_beer]

The vikings and many 19th century british breweries fermented in open top vessels. Not something I'd recommend, but not nearly the boogey man most novice brewers take it to be. You do the best you can to keep everything sealed and sanitary, to give the yeast the best opportunity to dominate the primordial soup you have created, and let the beer gods take care of the rest. Personally, I have a little dance I do every monday around the fermenter. It involves chicken feathers, a loincloth, rattles, burning a handful of 2 row in a small saucer,.....

 

[dave8274]

Wonder how Viking beer tasted

 

[unionrdr]

Since you asked,here's the answers; http://www.familytreecircles.com/vikings-making-the-brew-19832.html

 

[boscobeans]

do it next batch. The risk is lower if you leave it alone then if you remove the cover and expose even more air to it.

Unless it gets cold the fermenter should be slightly pressurized which will help keep out bugs

Great advice!


For almost two years I've been using a fermenter with no airlock that is not airtight and have never had a problem leaving my beer in it for 6 weeks or more.

Even when the active fermentation is done the beer does off gas CO2 and if the head space is left relatively undisturbed it protects the beer.

OMO

bosco

 

[dave8274]

So I walked by the fermenter again after spraying sanitizer at the base of the airlock, and it's bubbling again. The sanitizer must have created a seal.