"Non" bubbling air lock

[Cposten]

So I've been making different booze (wine,cider, mead, etc) for the better part of 5 years but have never experienced the no bubble airlock until I got into the beer game. I've looked into and have seen that this is normal but was wondering why, when still fermenting, there is no bubble in the airlock.

 

[homebrewdad]

If it's fermenting, you'll get bubbles... but only if you have a complete seal. If you are using, say a bucket with a leaky gasket (like many have), the escaping CO2 will take the path of least resistance (the seal) instead of the airlock.

 

[Cposten]

Ahhhh am using a bucket. Was just gonna say had a couple batches ferment completely but no bubbling, but they were all in buckets hafta get back to my glass carboys.

 

[homebrewdad]

Yep, there's the reason. Bucket seals are pretty notorious for leaking. It's not a problem; the positive CO2 pressure keeps everything out, but you just don't get the nice bubbles.