liquid used in airlock

[Steven9026]

Just wondering what most people use in their airlocks. I've been using vodka, and every once in a while a star sans mix.

 

[passedpawn]

Starsan mix.

 

[Msbeer]

Didn't have any Vodka so used Rum.

 

[truckmann]

starsan mix here.

 

[Steven9026]

LOL,, yea, I have seen where someone posted that you can drink whats left in your airlock when the fermentation is done.. I have never tried this though.. LOL

 

[steinsato]

I always use an iodophor mix. Unless it's gonna sit for over a month then I go with vodka

 

[hiberntepaths]

gin

 

[Khemikal]

Still using basic filtered water that has been boiled.

 

[ibbones]

Another Star San here

 

[Special Hops]

Star San

 

[Homercidal]

Star San IF I don't have any vodka. So Vodka...

And I don't drink the airlock because I really can't stand vodka.

 

[HexKrak]

Star San, Vodka, or Iodophor. Depends on what I was using to sanitize during brewing, and if I already dumped the rest before filling the air lock.

 

[IffyG]

I use the cheapest vodka I can find (usually around 8 bucks for a 1.75L bottle).

 

[Jaysus]

usually just tap water

 

[Dunerunner]

I use the cheapest vodka I can find (usually around 8 bucks for a 1.75L bottle).

Quoted for truth! If Vodka gets into my beer, I haven't an issue with that. If StarSan gets into my beer I do.

 

[TomRep]

tap water here as well. Not boiled, straight from the spigot

 

[CoalCracker]

Idophor or Everclear. Depends on the time of year. Fruit fly season, everclear. Winter, idophor.

 

[theonetrueruss]

I was using water but I switched to vodka last batch... it was also my first batch that overflowed into the airlock... lucky me!

 

[Special Hops]

Quoted for truth! If Vodka gets into my beer, I haven't an issue with that. If StarSan gets into my beer I do.

What is your issue with star-san in the beer? It's no rionse - no taste sanitizer. It will not harm your beer.

 

[glenn514]

Vodka. And I DON'T drink it when fermentation is done...it would taste yucky!

glenn514

 

[rycov]

i just use tap water. is that bad? i can use vodka if it helps. i did not know

 

[Marko73]

I use Vodka. One for me, then one for the airlock, and then one for the homies. .

It has worked great so far.

 

[rjwhite41]

Tap water here. Also, not boiled or anything.

 

[JonK331]

Star san

 

[straycat]

straight tap water

 

[WrongCoastBrewery]

Vodka or Starsan. And I have tasted star san in water. Tastes like nothing.

 

[SpanishCastleAle]

i just use tap water. is that bad? i can use vodka if it helps. i did not know

It's only bad if it gets sucked back into the fermenter. The liquid in the airlock can get sucked back in if there is a significant temperature drop. Otherwise tap water is fine.

 

[DrawTap88]

Vodka or star san.

 

[cclloyd]

Vodka or star san - and I have drank the mini shot of vodka that remains after fermentation. It's hop infused. Sort of. Not very tasty quite honestly.

 

[Ricand]

Quoted for truth! If Vodka gets into my beer, I haven't an issue with that. If StarSan gets into my beer I do.

Don't fear the airlock..

 

[Walker]

It's only bad if it gets sucked back into the fermenter. The liquid in the airlock can get sucked back in if there is a significant temperature drop. Otherwise tap water is fine.

A half oz of tap water getting into your beer isn't going to hurt anything. Beer is not that delicate or fragile. I use a pump when I transfer from the kettle to the fermenter after chilling, and I don't like leaving all that perfectly made wort inside the hose and pump, so I flush the thing out with tap water until I see water come out the other side into the fermenter. I basically get a couple cups of tap water into my fermenter every single time I brew.


Also, regardless if what liquid is in the airlock, if it gets sucked in due to the vacuum action of a cooling carboy, your airlock is wide open after that, which is potentially a bigger problem that the liquid that went in.


In my airlock, I use what is convenient. That is often star-san, because I've got a bucket of it sitting there from when I just sanitized the carboy, so I'll put it in the airlock.

If I need to top off the airlock on some future day, i just use tap water.

 

[AnOldUR]

Also, regardless if what liquid is in the airlock, if it gets sucked in due to the vacuum action of a cooling carboy, your airlock is wide open after that, which is potentially a bigger problem that the liquid that went in.

The reason I use "S" airlocks.



Three piece suck!
he he he . . .

 

[rjwhite41]

I've had the tap water get sucked back in. Not a big deal at all. Just put more water in it.

 

[FireBrew63]

Vodka and I don't drink it at end of fermentation.

 

[Emmett]

I use DIVA Premium Vodka. Although I usually buy a $200,000 to $300,000 bottle, I've really noticed a difference when I use the million dollar stuff.



http://www.pricy-spicy.com/diva-premium-vodka-most-expensive-vodka/

 

[Ricand]

I've had the tap water get sucked back in. Not a big deal at all. Just put more water in it.

Sooo... getting all crazy about sanitation and non-sterile things touching my wort after it drops below 180 is horse pookey? Man, I just got over not worrying about HSA and now this.

 

[HoppyDaze]

star san

 

[ibrewit]

Inexpensive Vodka

 

[rjwhite41]

Sooo... getting all crazy about sanitation and non-sterile things touching my wort after it drops below 180 is horse pookey? Man, I just got over not worrying about HSA and now this.

Unless you use well water (and even then it's usually fine) there is nothing unsanitary about tap water. Just make sure the airlock is sanitized.

 

[GetLooseontheGoose]

usually just tap water

tap water here as well. Not boiled, straight from the spigot

Tap water here. Also, not boiled or anything.

straight tap water

I've had the tap water get sucked back in. Not a big deal at all. Just put more water in it.

I also use Tap water, why waste my sanstar or vodka?
Never had a problem.