Lid blown off with a blow off tube possible?

[mjmac85]

For the first time my beer is really fermenting hard. I always use a blow off tube and even with it in the bucket is bulging with the extra gas. It's in my fermentation freezer so clean up will be easy if it goes. Just wondering if its even possible to still happen. hose is clear everything looks ok with the tube.

 

[ziggy13]

It happened to me before with a lively yeast strain and a really high gravity beer. I think it was my fault because I did not allow enough headspace in the fermentor. I would definitely keep an eye on it especially if it's bulging...

 

[amandabab]

Sure its possible.
Most bucket fermentors are setup with only a 3/8" tube as a blow off.
The hose looks clear because its clogged under the lid.

 

[barneygumble]

Sure its possible.
Most bucket fermentors are setup with only a 3/8" tube as a blow off.
The hose looks clear because its clogged under the lid.

This. Pull the tube out, make sure the end is clear. Resanitize and only put it into the fermenter enough to clear the lid. For the bucket to bulge, the hose should be blowing gas at max volume and still not be able to handle it all. Or its partially obstructed.

 

[tom_gamer]

I just gently push the lid down and its good. No need to open it, unless you put something in your beer that can get stuck in the tube.

 

[cincydave]

Are there bubbles coming out of the blow off tube? If not, sounds like it is clogged. If it is clogged, you need to relieve pressure, and unclog it. be careful and if it blows, pics are always fun.

 

[HibsMax]

I have this same thing happening on a few of my brews. Right now I have a Russian Imperial Stout that is fermenting pretty hard (compared to any other of my fermentations that I have witnessed) and the lid is bulging even though there are lots of bubbles coming out. I'll check the tube because it could still be partially blocked.

Does anyone drill out that hole and put in a larger grommet so that can use wider blow off tubes?

 

[Kingfish]

Does anyone drill out that hole and put in a larger grommet so that can use wider blow off tubes?

I will be doing this before my next batch. I have a couple extra lids and will use one for just such an occasion.

 

[1KD1]

I've read a thread where some folks talk about buying 1 inch tubing and just drill a hole (3/4" iirc).

Squeeze the hose into the smaller hole you just made and don't even bother with a grommet.

 

[HibsMax]

I've read a thread where some folks talk about buying 1 inch tubing and just drill a hole (3/4" iirc).

Squeeze the hose into the smaller hole you just made and don't even bother with a grommet.

Do you have a link for that? I would be worried that squeezing a 1" tube into a 3/4" hole would leave gaps. The 1/4" difference would mean you need to squeezer the 1" tube and that would change it from being circular to some weird, deformed shape. Personally I would err on the side of caution, drill the hole big enough and buy the grommet as well.

 

[bk0]

Also don't put a lot of water in your blowoff bucket. A few inches, enough to cover the end of the tube is fine. Any more will increase the pressure on the tube, requiring more force for it to bubble through.

 

[tom_gamer]

Also don't put a lot of water in your blowoff bucket. A few inches, enough to cover the end of the tube is fine. Any more will increase the pressure on the tube, requiring more force for it to bubble through.

Never thought about that, but seems correct.

 

[1KD1]

Do you have a link for that? I would be worried that squeezing a 1" tube into a 3/4" hole would leave gaps. The 1/4" difference would mean you need to squeezer the 1" tube and that would change it from being circular to some weird, deformed shape. Personally I would err on the side of caution, drill the hole big enough and buy the grommet as well.

No I don't remember where I read it. I was guessing on the hole size. Just trying to make the point that you can drill a hole a little smaller than whatever size tubing you have.

Don't put too much faith in grommets, I've seen them fail like anything else...

 

[HibsMax]

No I don't remember where I read it. I was guessing on the hole size. Just trying to make the point that you can drill a hole a little smaller than whatever size tubing you have.

Don't put too much faith in grommets, I've seen them fail like anything else...

I try to be very careful with the grommets. I pushed one through on my primary fermenter but luckily for me I didn't have anything in it at the time. From that point on I have always been super careful with them.

I think that if you push a 1" tube through a 0.99" hole you will get a pretty good seal. But if you make it smaller than that then I think the hose will start to bulge inwards and create air gaps....which might not be a huge issue (open fermentation and all that).

I bought larger grommet yesterday for a larger blow off tube they are too thick for the material of the bucket lid so I need to go back and find different grommets. I also made a thermowell using copper tubing so I still have a lot to learn. LOL. (I removed it and will wait on getting some SS tubing to make it).

 

[1KD1]

At least we have a nice place like this to share info and help each other. I know this site has done its fair share for me.

Hope to be able to contribute next payday.

 

[HibsMax]

At least we have a nice place like this to share info and help each other. I know this site has done its fair share for me.

Hope to be able to contribute next payday.

That's where I got to a couple of weeks ago. I've learned so much from this site, I just had to contribute.

Now, if all this beer I've been brewing tastes like piss then I'm going to have to rethink.