Stuff in airlock

[badnaam]

I shake up the fermenter once in a while to get some aeration going. Sometimes stuff from inside the fermenter (looks like beer!), get in the airlock and stay there. Should I remove this and replenish with vodka/santized water or not worry about it. Is it susceptible to contamination? Is it a good idea to take the airlock off to drain it while fermentation is still going on?

Thanks

 

[fritz_monroe]

I don't know if it's required, but I'd set up another airlock and replace it. Then clean up the one that's fouled up. I would think that by having wort in the airlock, it could get contaminated.

 

[rcdirtbuggy]

You don't need to continually aerate the wart once fermentation has started. aeration is only needed to give the yeast a good start. the only thing you may want to do is occasionally rock the fermenter gently to drop any excess krausen to the bottom. but it would be a good idea however to fill your airlock with vodka just in case any nastys get inside your airlock.

 

[saul]

If your using a carboy to primary ferment, I suggest sticking a sanitised length of hose into the bung and running it into a container of water on the floor. Basically a vent line. This places the air lock mechanism well away from your beer.

Don't use your racking line though. Just 2 feet of line that you can boil, or use diversol or starsan to clean up afterwards. When it becomes to cruddy, throw it out.

This is especially preferable to a conventional air lock if you are using pellet hops, and some of the green sludge has gotten into the primary.

 

[the_bird]

DON'T SHAKE YOUR FERMENTER!

Once fermenation has begun, aerating your beer is a VERY BAD IDEA! The ONLY time to aerate is immediately prior to pitching (with very few exceptions, like when doing a HUGE beer). Otherwise, adding oxygen to the beer after the yeast have begun work risks lots of off-flavors (wet cardboard) and premature staling.