Sanitizer in blowoff bucket??

[SEndorf]

I'm on my 4th batch and replaced the airlock with a blowoff tube leading into a milk jug. Filled the jug half way with tap water.
I read here that many use starsan in the milk jug? I can't imagine any contact. Why use this?
Racked to secondary (to get the bung out of the primary carboy) and now I see dots of yeasties on the surface. Sorta looks like mold, but hoping its OK?

 

[pondlumber]

I use it because i've got some all mixed up after brewing. Doesn't really matter. In fact, it can turn into a foamy mess, so don't do it.

It sounds like your beer looks like it should, if smells like mold it's a big problem and you need to deal with that right away.

also you really don't need a blow off on a secondary, it's really just for the first few days that it's needed.

 

[SEndorf]

Thanks. Is a red ale that smells strong and heady. Too inexperienced to know exactly what it should look like. I did notice this morning the yeast "dots" have turned to small foamy bubbles. My first batch in a temp controlled fridge. Seems to be going OK except for my bonehead move pushing the stopper into the primary. At least it was sanitized.

 

[stevem86]

[QUOTE="SEndorf" Seems to be going OK except for my bonehead move pushing the stopper into the primary. At least it was sanitized.[/QUOTE]

Hahaha I did the same thing!
I wanted a "real good seal" so I pushed the stopper as much as I could and it never crossed my mind that it might go all the way in.
Did you get it out or leave it in for now?

 

[SEndorf]

I got it out! Used a suggestion on another thread. Stuck a plastic bag halfway in, blew the bag up, positioned the stopper on top of the bag so the bag grabbed the stopper when I pulled it out. Its on YouTube also.

 

[SEndorf]

On another note, any ideas on how to "dry" the stopper to make a good seal without contaminating it? Or is contamination an issue? When the stopper and carboy rim is wet, it just pops back up without a very good seal. If there is some way to dry this properly, it stays down with a tight seal. I'm tempted to just use a clean knapkin.

 

[ph0ngwh0ng]

I'm on my 4th batch and replaced the airlock with a blowoff tube leading into a milk jug. Filled the jug half way with tap water.
I read here that many use starsan in the milk jug? I can't imagine any contact. Why use this?

In case of a "suck back". Some people use temperature controlled fermentation chambers, and when one reduces the temperature, the wort and air volume in the carboy reduces, creating a negative pressure, causing liquid from the jug to be pumped into the carboy. If that liquid is not sanitized, there is a risk of contamination.

Racked to secondary (to get the bung out of the primary carboy) and now I see dots of yeasties on the surface. Sorta looks like mold, but hoping its OK?

Should be, some yeast will go in suspension again after racking to secondary. Unless it looks very moldy, it's ok. Even then, some have been known to bottle anyway and try it out.

Take a look at the pellicle thread in the Lambic/Wild Brewing forum section. THAT is moldy.

On another note, any ideas on how to "dry" the stopper to make a good seal without contaminating it? Or is contamination an issue? When the stopper and carboy rim is wet, it just pops back up without a very good seal. If there is some way to dry this properly, it stays down with a tight seal. I'm tempted to just use a clean knapkin.

I just tape it down with electric tape. I go around the rim and the stopper several times, since the tape won't adhere very well to a wet surface, but then it does adhere to itself.

 

[mikescooling]

Dry the stopper with a paper towel.