My Red...48 hours in...

[NocturnalEMT]

So the "bubbles" are getting quite close to the neck of the carboy and I am starting to wonder if its going to make it to the top...should I be worried or is this looking right...

 

[atom]

if you're worried, stick a blow off tube on there...

 

[ChandlerBrewery]

It looks perfect. A blow off wouldn't hurt, if you think it will pop it's top.

 

[NocturnalEMT]

I don't think it will pop it. I have a very steadly release from my airlock, perfect incriments of release.

What exactly is a blow-off?

 

[ChadChaney]

A blow-off rig replaces your airlock and allows the krasuen, bubbles and goo, to escape into a container of sanitizer/water mix. You can use a hose that fits directly into the mouth of the carboy, or find some siphon hose that fits into the hole in a bung and run that into a container of sanitized water, I use I gallon milk jugs.

 

[djfriesen]

You rig a length of tubing between the upright nipple on a three-piece airlock and a glass or jar of starsan. It accomplishes the same task, but with less risk of clogging and overpressurization. You can also use a gauge of tubing that fits directly into the neck of the carboy.

 

[Taypo]

Mmmmmm red. Be sure to post a picture when its done!

 

[NocturnalEMT]

Will do...I am not positive now long I should leave it in there...I'm off to Mexico and wont be back until the 26th...I was thinking about bottling it then....suggestions? I feel like picking up the carboy and drinking all 5 gallons...Looks good honestly. I have a kiwi wheat in a 5 gallon bucket next to it. so I have no idea what that looks like

 

[NordeastBrewer77]

looking good man! i second (or fourth) the blow off tube idea. i always use one until the krausen starts to fall back.

 

[NocturnalEMT]

This whole blow off thing makes me quite nervous. I don't want to end up jacking up my brew.

 

[atom]

all you're doing is replacing the airlock with a tube... just make sure everything is clean/sanitized...you shouldn't jack anything up.

 

[NocturnalEMT]

I just read into dj's comment. should i remove the water in the airlock?

 

[ChandlerBrewery]

I just read into dj's comment. should i remove the water in the airlock?

You remove the pee trap airlock altogether and replace it with a long tube, of which the other end is completely submerged in a sanitized bucket of water. The reason for this is that the Krausen can be strong enough to shoot that little airlock to the ceiling (yes, i'm speaking from experience).

 

[NocturnalEMT]

Let me ask you this. If it doesn't reach the top, does it hurt to have in there.? Looks like it gives it character.

 

[Taypo]

What we use is a stopper with a length of tubing jammed into the hole, leading out to a used LME bucket filled with a starsan solution. Same thing can be accomplised by attaching it to the airlock post, at least with a 3 piece airlock. Not sure if it can be done with one of the S-types.
We've also left the blowoff on for entire fermentations, no harm no foul.

 

[ChandlerBrewery]

Let me ask you this. If it doesn't reach the top, does it hurt to have in there.? Looks like it gives it character.

It doesn't hurt a thing. It's just tramatic to walk in and see what looks like someone executed your carboy.

 

[NocturnalEMT]

So I marked a line where the Krausen was, went to bed with hope that this **** wasnt everywhere, and by God it went down. Starting to look like its slowing down a bit....I am highly anticipating this brew...thanks for the help all.

 

[NocturnalEMT]

5 days in. I was starting to get worried, but its actually changing colors...from a caramel color to an actual RED color.

 

[NocturnalEMT]

...

 

[JiggaJames]

I hope my red turns out looking that tasty.

 

[NocturnalEMT]

It puts a smile on my face.