Not enough head space. What do I do?

[Incongruent]

This is the first fermentation I've done that had overflow. Usually I leave 3" or more of heads pace. But I left around 1.75" to 2" this time. 24h after brew... 18C temp and the foam is overflowing and the bucket bulging. This picture show the foam coming out of the bung.

What do I do? I popped the lid on the bucket to buy me time but I'm thinking the bucket edge overflow is next.

View attachment 1484521887930.jpg

 

[55x11]

This is the first fermentation I've done that had overflow. Usually I leave 3" or more of heads pace. But I left around 1.75" to 2" this time. 24h after brew... 18C temp and the foam is overflowing and the bucket bulging. This picture show the foam coming out of the bung.

What do I do? I popped the lid on the bucket to buy me time but I'm thinking the bucket edge overflow is next.

get a 1G glass jar (from apple juice, drink the juice, sanitize) and transfer some in there).

 

[flars]

Or install a blow off tube. You'll lose some beer and yeast but less messy.

 

[RM-MN]

Got a plastic tub big enough for the bucket to set into? Pull the bung out slowly once you have it in a tub so it doesn't spew all over.

 

[smurfjuice]

Do you have a 3 piece air lock? if so, a piece of 3/8 tubing on to the center
spud and run it into a 1 gal jug of water ... hope this isn't too late ...

 

[Incongruent]

I've got a s shaped airlock. No tubing.. Over the last couple hours there has been about a pint of wort that escaped over the side of the bucket.

 

[drunkinThailand]

i had a couple ferments do this - i like to pack as much beer into the fermenter as i can and the lid doesn't seal too well. just pop the lid and set it on there without clicking it down. then try to wipe up the overflow, clean and sanitize everything as often as you can. once it stops overflowing, either because the level of beer has fallen or fermentation is over, click the lid down.

 

[kh54s10]

If you don't have anything to rig up a blow off tube with, I would just use good sanitation and wipe off the spewing krausen. Cover the hole with a sanitized piece of aluminum foil. After it stops overflowing, reinstall your airlock.

And put the fermenter in a bigger vessel to contain the mess.

 

[Incongruent]

The lid was half-off all night in the garage and the total lost was maybe a pint and a half that escaped. I had to keep swapping the airlock about 4 times and even now the airlock liquid is stained brown from foam that made its way into the airlock. But at least it isn't escaping the airlock. I've wiped the fermenter lid and sides but I am really biting my nails on this one. It's bubbling 3-4 times per second.

I have a thermal sensor about 3" below the surface connected to the temp controller set at 15C which toggles two hand warmers that run at 50C taped to the outside of the fermenter...the whole thing is wrapped in a solar blanket (now caked in wort). I'm wondering if the heater is the source of the extra strong fermentation... although the yeast was also very fresh....

 

[kristiismean]

you can put your auto-siphon or racking tube right into the bung on that lid (normally) and then put that in a bottle of star stan, (1 inch in the bottom of a 12 oz bottle, next to it) and then let it ride.

 

[flars]

The lid was half-off all night in the garage and the total lost was maybe a pint and a half that escaped. I had to keep swapping the airlock about 4 times and even now the airlock liquid is stained brown from foam that made its way into the airlock. But at least it isn't escaping the airlock. I've wiped the fermenter lid and sides but I am really biting my nails on this one. It's bubbling 3-4 times per second.

I have a thermal sensor about 3" below the surface connected to the temp controller set at 15C which toggles two hand warmers that run at 50C taped to the outside of the fermenter...the whole thing is wrapped in a solar blanket (now caked in wort). I'm wondering if the heater is the source of the extra strong fermentation... although the yeast was also very fresh....

Measuring the actual temperature of the fermenting beer is a safe guard when using technology for temperature copntrol. The stick on thermometer strips work well for measuring the temperature of the beer inside a bucket or carboy. The beer could be warmer than planned.

 

[Incongruent]

The temp sensor is submerged 3" deep. It is inside the fermenter. If I'm measuring the top 3" of the wort, is it possible the bottom of the wort is actually warmer? Both the internal sensor and the sticker on the outside read ~15C.

 

[BitterSweetBrews]

At this point if you can't pull the airlock and put a blow off tube in the airlock hole, just leave it alone and try to contain the mess.

A blow off tube is a long plastic tube that you put one end in the airlock hole and the other end into a bottle of sanitizer 1/4 to 1/2 full so it will contain any more foam that comes out. Once it slows down you can put the air lock back on.

You will not lose a whole lot of beer, maybe a pint or two. Once it has subsided to a manageable level clean it up with some clean washcloths and starsan spray.

 

[flars]

The temp sensor is submerged 3" deep. It is inside the fermenter. If I'm measuring the top 3" of the wort, is it possible the bottom of the wort is actually warmer? Both the internal sensor and the sticker on the outside read ~15C.

That is a fairly cool fermentation temperature for an ale yeast. During active fermentation there is usually no temperature stratification because the activity of the yeast will keep the fermenting beer mixed.

The blow off most likely just from lack of head space for the yeast being used. Some yeasts just need more room for the high krausen produced.

 

[Incongruent]

I targeted 18, then bumped it down to promote less co2 /kraussen Production. I was going to raise it back to 18 after the vigor had died down

 

[Incongruent]

I nudged the fermenter a couple of times this afternoon and the airlock activity suddenly ceased for better or for worse. No bubbles for last couple of hours. I've reset temp to 18C. Any explanation for what stopped the bubbles?

 

[flars]

I nudged the fermenter a couple of times this afternoon and the airlock activity suddenly ceased for better or for worse. No bubbles for last couple of hours. I've reset temp to 18C. Any explanation for what stopped the bubbles?

You compromised the seal on the lid.

 

[Incongruent]

You compromised the seal on the lid.

Nope. Was bubbling second before I nudged it. I'm thinking jostling the wort has knocked loose the co2 pockets or something

 

[DurtyChemist]

Nope. Was bubbling second before I nudged it. I'm thinking jostling the wort has knocked loose the co2 pockets or something

CO2 doesn't exist as pockets inside the wort immobile during fermentation. CO2 rises to the top and escapes which is what caused the overflow of wort. Keep it cool, keep your headspace in mind when you pitch yeast next time and keep this in mind when you want to brew a big beer.

 

[Kampenken]

You got good advice above. One bit more, relax, it will be fine. And as others have stated, get a blow off tube rigged up (next time).

 

[Incongruent]

I tried the gravity sample today... tastes fine to me although maybe a little fusel... I'm wondering if those hand warmers aren't doing too much warming and amping up the fermentations.

 

[Incongruent]

Update: bottled yesterday. Strangely there is a strong banana aroma. Tastes great. I'll exercise caution next time I use s04 and maybe ample headspace.

 

[Gravity]

Or install a blow off tube. You'll lose some beer and yeast but less messy.

This is the most common solution

If you have a 3 piece airlock, take out the middle part and insert tubing that fits the diameter of the hole (high temp tubing is perfect) and fill a jar with sanitizer and put the hose into that.

essentially you just made a huge airlock