Top looks like it's gonna blow on primary!

[sunvalleylaw]

I have a batch with a big OG (1.091) in a 8 gal primary. It has put some into the airlock and is poofing up the lid. What should I do? HELP! I don't want to have to clean this off the ceiling!

 

[Ramitt]

replace airlock with blowoff tube.

 

[usfmikeb]

Yep, you need a blowoff tube. Instead of an airlock, you run tubing down into sanitized liquid in a bucket that's only half full.

 

[usfmikeb]

I always use a blowoff for the first week or two, and then shift to an airlock.

 

[sunvalleylaw]

I don't think I have a lid that fits this primary that will take a blow off tube. I temporarily took out the airlock to equalize the pressure, and topped it off with some bushmills for now

 

[BainbridgeBrewer]

Yeah, I'd say put on a blow off hose as well.

EDIT: Try this.

 

[RM-MN]

Set the fermenter in a big tub and take the airlock out. You'll have a mess in the tub but tubs are easier to clean than ceilings.

Once the ferment settles down, sanitize the airlock and put it back in.

 

[Jdk261]

Whatever you do...do something. I had a similar situation a few months ago and ended up repainting a few spots on my ceiling and wall. There are pictures of it on a thread somewhere on this forum...try searching for my replies to see what you will be dealing with if you don't use a blow off tube lol

 

[bucfanmike]

if by chance it does blow.. take pictures.

 

[sunvalleylaw]

Yeah, I'd say put on a blow off hose as well.

EDIT: Try this.

I can do that. I was thinking over dinner (at a local brewpub) that I could do something with my smaller tubing. I will try what you are showing in the pic, or I can probably take my tube that has a hard smaller diameter plastic piece that goes into the spigot of my bottling bucket, and probably shove that in where the airlock goes. Either way, it will be better than doing nothing. Fermentation is holding steady at a little over 70 degrees, but is quite active now.

EDIT: if it does blow, I will certainly take pics.

 

[sunvalleylaw]

Ok, I think this way will work. I was having a hard time getting my tubing to fit over the stalk in my airlock, so I did it the other way I mentioned. It seems to be working as I am getting some good regular bubbling in the growler I used. This is the thread https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f37/black-double-ipa-279039/ for the batch (my indie stab at a Double Black IPA, or Canadian/Cascade Dark ale) that looked like it was gonna blow. Thanks guys!

 

[Misfit]

Did you cut off the "X" on the bottom of the airlock? If you don't it can still get clogged and blow

 

[sunvalleylaw]

No I didn't. But the airlock is not in at this point. The tube is going into the hole for the airlock, using the plastic piece that allows the tubing to go into the spigot of my bottling bucket. Good tip on cutting the X though. I will go that before putting it back in. Also, the plastic cap on top (of the entire airlock, not the lock cap over the air stem) seemed to be slowing the release of air. I will either leave it off, or expand the holes.

 

[1776]

Going through this problem myself. I added some tap water and didn't really clean the blow off bucket. Is it really necessary? I'm thinking with the amount of co2 spewing out, there shouldn't be any chance for any of the nasty water to suck in there. Once it cools off I'll be putting the airlock on. Any thoughts on this?

 

[unionrdr]

That's what I do. I use a 1/2G vodka jug filled 1/3 with water & a splash of starsan. When initial fermentation slows down,I put the airlock back on. And you need the cap on the airlock to keep some pressure on the center piece. And the holes are fine as they are. Enlarging them won't let out anymore co2 then the room the cap lets the center piece move.
That's all governed by co2 pressure.