S Type Airlock - cap question

[wherestheyeast]

I racked an IPA to secondary on Friday using a plastic bucket with an S-Type Airlock. And of course I placed the little red cap on it after filling it with filtered water. I returned today to find the lid if the bucket pillowed out and all the water in the "outside" chamber of the airlock. So I took the little red cap off and all kinds of pressure released from the airlock spraying it's water out.

So, are you not supposed to use the airlock cap? I figured since it came with a cap it should be used!

Thanks!

 

[Randall]

I have always read not to use those just because of cleaning issues. I use the three piece air locks and have had the tops on those blow off too. You might wanna look into using a blow off initially. Hope I helped but probably just confused. Good luck.

 

[drhookmec]

Your right you don't need that cap at all IMO throw it away.

I often wonder why too they even have those stupid caps for those air locks.

 

[wherestheyeast]

LHBS was out of the three piece air locks... I've read that people keep a bunch of em on hand. I'll hafta pick up a few next time.

 

[Stauffbier]

I have 6 - 3 piece airlocks and one s-type. I only use the s-type for 1 gallon batches of wine. And I would recommend using cheap vodka or sanitizer soulution in your airlocks instead of filtered water..

 

[bomberman]

Um...these red caps do come with HOLES right? Because that would certainly be ridiculous if they didn't. My S-lock cap has a bunch of holes in it about the diameter of a sewing needle to allow gas to vent, I don't think there's ever been an issue where it was allowing pressure to build up.

I guess it's true you don't need one regardless since there's a water barrier, but I like to use it because it helps keep the water in during those intense fits of bubbling. Plus I just love the sound of the "bubblers"