Questions about airlock (first batch)

lukabrazi · Oct 19, 2009

I put the airlock in, added water, and then double checked that the lid was on tight. When I did this I pushed air into the airlock (3 piece) and it bubbled and then sucked some of the water into my pail. My airlock is a little low but I'm not sure how much I can mess with it now. Is it normal to have to add water to the airlock? Could I add a little C-Brite sanitizer to the airlock in case it sucks some of it in again or could this mess up my wine?

cvstrat · Oct 19, 2009

I always use a starsan and water mixture in the airlock. And I usually have to top it off at some point due to evap or bubbles. Suckback doesn't matter much if you have rinseless sanitizer and water in the lock, it's like an oz of sanitized water and won't hurt anything.

I guess you discovered the airlock is workin

lukabrazi · Oct 20, 2009

I guess I will have to get to LHBS. I have heard some people use vodka when making beer. This would be a lot easier for me to pick up since my LHBS is about an hour away, Is it okay for wine too?

warispeace · Oct 20, 2009

lukabrazi said:
I guess I will have to get to LHBS. I have heard some people use vodka when making beer. This would be a lot easier for me to pick up since my LHBS is about an hour away, Is it okay for wine too?

Vodka is good to use in the airlock because it's safe to drink but bacteria won't grow in it. That's what I use.

summersolstice · Oct 20, 2009

+2 on vodka. I keep a half pint handy and that's all I've ever used, no matter if it's beer, wine, or mead.

lukabrazi · Oct 24, 2009

Another question... My juice has been in a bottling bucket (primary) for about a week. I have it in the bottom of my office closet because this is above the furnace room and it gets a little warmer in there than the rest of the house. When it is time to rack it to the carboy I am going to need to move it so that it is higher. Should I move it now so that it has a week to settle back down before I rack it or should I just leave it where it is and move it when its time to rack it. I don't want to get it stirred up before I transfer it.

lukabrazi · Oct 25, 2009

Another question along the same lines. I am making beer today. I will make it in the kitchen but I need to store it in the basement. I have heard people say that you want the yeast to sit on top. Should I wait and add the yeast in the basement or is it okay to just move it? I would rather not open it up again down in the basement b/c there would be less chance of infection.