second batch - unexpected airlock issues

[grze]

Hello everyone,

I just did my second batch, a iipa..everything went quite smoothly (except the fact that it took longer to boil and longer to cool than expected), but I had a problem with the airlock and precisely it's rubber stopper part. I left it inside the bucket full of sanitizing solution for the whole time and it felt like it shrunk (?!) because when I put it inside the carboys neck it was very easy to move it up and down....that wasn't the case with my first batch, the stopper was super tight.

On top of that I didn't know about the cheap vodka/starsan to be put inside the airlock so I pub some tap water and then half of it somehow got inside the beer ://// I'm not sure if it was through airlock or through some gaps between the rubber stopped and carboy.
I just hope to not get an infection, so I covered it around with aluminum foil and wrapped with rubber bands for now...what you guys think? should I expect problems regarding contamination? and what's the deal with those rubber stoppers, they shouldn't stay in liquid for a long time or what?

Thanks!

PS. I just started reading about the fermentation temperatures for this kind of beer (I used white labs liquid yeast) and it looks like you guys recommend 62F at the beginning up to 66F...Last batch, the crystal thermometer showed 72F and I don't really have an option of cooling it down at the moment. Am I screwed?

 

[Fordmi]

I don't use carboys, so somebody may be able to give a better answer, but I would look into a carboy cap.

I would be much more concerned with getting an airtight seal than anything else. I doubt a little tap water will give you much of a problem, and I don't think your temps are too bad. A little on the high side, sure, but I've been there and made great beer.

Read some of the "Did I mess up my first batch" threads and stickies (even if its your second). I think they should help settle your nerves.

But do something to get an airtight seal on top of the carboy. Maybe if the stopper dries out it will be good? If not, visit the lhbs tomorrow.

And for the record, cheap vodka and starsan are suggested for the airlock because they will not harbor bacteria so if some does get sucked into your beer it will be safe.

 

[GilSwillBasementBrews]

I noticed starsan makes my stoppers slippery. Once dry it should seal fine. To keep your temps down try placing the fermenter in a big cooler or tub filled with water to level of beer in carboy. Add frozen water bottles to bring the temp down and swap them out as needed. AKA swamp cooler. Not a great solution but better than no temp control and hoping the yeast stay in temp range desired.

 

[hercher]

Fordmi is correct -- your beer will be fine. You do not need to put star san or alcohol in your airlock, though you can if you wish. I usually just use tap water, though sometimes I reserve some of my sanitizing solution.

As far as the airtight seal, it isn't that big of a deal. Bear in mind that some breweries do not cover their fermenting beer at all! Just try to keep the area where you are fermenting relatively clean and draft free.

Depending on which strain of yeast you used, 72 degrees should be fine. You may have a more estery flavor than you want, but it still should be good. GilSwill gives a good technique for controlling your fermentation temps.

 

[unionrdr]

As was stated,I too use cheap grocery store vodka in my airlocks. It's an idea I got from Gary Martin of the former Home Brewer TV videos. Anything that gets through the little holes in the airlock cap die of alcohol poisoning & are no threat in case of a suck-back. Dito with Starsan.
The longer plain water sits in the airlock,the more likely nasties will get into it & multiply. Making suck-backs more likely to introduce them to the beer.

 

[flars]

If the stopper did shrink use a wrap of duct tape around it, and sanitize. Do you have multiple stoppers? Some are different sizes. I use the universal size and they fit all my carboys. Use Google to search for your temp control solution.

 

[grze]

You guys are awesome! Thanks for all the advices and help! I will definitely use vodka or starsan next time for the airlock.

I made a video this morning: (sorry, there is an ad in polish at the beginning and also the video is flipped but you can see what's important)
http://w181.wrzuta.pl/film/0vbIK8osAT7/browar
so as you can see the fermentation already started and it's much more vigorous than with my first beer. Regarding the temperature control, I'm not a big fun of esters and fusel alcohol aromas but I think I will see how it goes this time without any extra effort regarding cooling. I noticed that the temp should drop and stabilize at around 70 at this point...and the fermenter is in a dark closed closet so hopefully it will be fine.

Regarding the rubber stopper, I will check it once I get back from work, but if it's still not airtight should I get a new one immediately or with the current setup with rubber bands and tin foil can I wait till dryhopping?

 

[unionrdr]

If it's the right size,it'll stick in place when the Starsan dries.

 

[grze]

Yup, it's definitely right size because it's the same one as I used on the first batch.

 

[unionrdr]

Then the drying Starsan should act like this snoop stuff we used on vacuum line connections at the plant. Glues & seals it in place lightly when it dries to improve the seal. Besides making them easier to seat.

 

[grze]

so it turns out I may have done something actually good At least it makes me feel better. I soooo want this beer to turn out good Now I just need to decide which recipe to follow regarding the dryhopping. I'm doing a kind of Pliny close, so I'm debating between 7 days of dry hopping of 1oz of 3 types (centennial, simcoe, columbus) or 10-14 days of 1oz each and then 0.25oz for the last 2-5 days. What you guys think?

 

[grze]

looks like after a few more hours I'm having another problem:

 

[Fordmi]

Uh oh. Put it in the bathtub, shower, or somewhere else easy to clean?

 

[grze]

Still at work for next 3 hours :/ My wife took those pictures...ehhhhh...hopefully it won't come out. What's the best thing to do right now? Sorry, I should search through the forum first before asking beginners questions.... but I may not have enough time for that :/

 

[unionrdr]

A blow off would be a good option.

 

[Fordmi]

At this point you need a blow off hose instead of that airlock. It can handle more than the airlock can. Not sure what to tell you about not being home for a few hours. Hope it doesn't blow before you get there? We that time to search blowoff hoses?

 

[grze]

pfff reading about it right now and watching the videos Thanks guys, I will update once I get home. (Regards from Riverside, CA )

 

[Fordmi]

You may want your wife to prepare for a bit of a mess too. Seriously, the bath tub or shower is a good option if she can move it.

 

[grze]

I went home....lol...situation is (currently) under control. Got everything cleaned and sanitized. I couldn't do o blow-off hose since. it looks like I don't have one and if I would cover the hose I have with aluminum foil there will not be an airtight seal, so I figured, worst case scenario, I will be changing and cleaning it for the next few days.

 

[unionrdr]

The krausen does look like it's receeded out of the neck.

 

[grze]

yup. I think from shaking it a little bit during transfer to the bathroom. That's nothing bad right? Looks like the fermentation is as lively as before

 

[grze]

false alarm. within the following two hours it almost exploded...and clogged the airlock. I just installed the blow off tube covered by aluminum foil. Any better/cleaner way without access to a lhbs?

 

[unionrdr]

Blow off rigs are about it. But some that use carboys & the like will cram a big tube the sixe of the opening into the top of the carboy,& into a blow of jug or small bucket of water with a splash of Starsan.

 

[GilSwillBasementBrews]

I just use my siphon tubing and jamb the end into the hole in my stopper the airlock sits in.

 

[grze]

For now I've installed a wider hose on top of the airlock and it seems to be working. Hopefully this setup will last till Saturday when I can finally go to the store.

 

[grze]

Just wanted to update that I replaced the stopped and installed a new airlock after the most vigorous part of the fermentation is over. So I was finally able to put it back in the closet and clean the bathroom
I don't want to spam the forum with two other threads, so may I ask two more questions?

1. I'm planning on dry hopping it - should I transfer to secondary fermenter or not?
2. Should I add some extra yeast before bottling (depending on if I dry hop in the primary or the secondary fermenter)

 

[Bennywisest]

1. Your choice on dry hopping. Either works fine, just make sure fermentation is finishing up.
2. No need to add any more yeast either way. There is plenty of yeast still floating around.