vodka in airlock?

[MaddBaggins]

Quite the resurrection. I've never had an issue with my airlock vodka evaporating before I was done using it. I also sanitize my caps in vodka, haven't had any rust since.

It's pretty darn dry around here. I top off the vodka about once a week.

 

[scrambledegg81]

Since I always keep a Rubbermaid tub full of sanitized water nearby on brew days, I just scoop up some of that into the airlock. Works a charm.

 

[pauljmccain]

I don't understand why plain water is insufficient. They brewed beer for centuries without sanitation, and now we're worried about germs getting through the airlock somehow?

 

[shafferpilot]

beer brewed for thousands of years? yes absolutely
beer brewed without any sanitization tasting wonderful? sometimes when really lucky

 

[unionrdr]

Plain water in the airlock can harbor bacteria. When a reverse pressure situation occurs,it gets sucked back into the fermenter. You can get infections that way.

 

[SailorTodd]

I don't understand why plain water is insufficient. They brewed beer for centuries without sanitation, and now we're worried about germs getting through the airlock somehow?

You must never have had a problem with mold then...

The sanitation of the water in case it gets sucked into the wort isn't the only reason to use sanitizer or vodka. Mold can also become a problem in damp fermenters that don't have sanitizer

 

[unionrdr]

No,never got mold myself,but I'm anal about cleaning & use of star-san. The vodka will act as a sanitizer by damaging the cell walls of whatever gets in. Not to mention,alcohol poisoning.

 

[nefarious_1_]

I don't understand why plain water is insufficient. They brewed beer for centuries without sanitation, and now we're worried about germs getting through the airlock somehow?

I also use vodka. I find that Star San bubbles right out of the airlock during an active fermentation and also loses efficacy over time.

And water, well, there's nothing in water that sanitizes.
The first time I made a swamp cooler, I noticed a thin slime developing on the sides of the Rubbermaid container after about 5 days. From that point forward, I always mix a little Star San with the swamp cooler water to avoid scrubbing the container when I'm done. Thinking about that slime developing in an airlock bothers me. Then the thought of suckback with the slime in there... bleh... I'd rather use vodka and top up as needed.

 

[unionrdr]

Yeah,lolz on the star-san. It looks like Mr Clean's version of "The Blob".

 

[pauljmccain]

Yeah, guess you're right, I've just never had any problems, even when I do get suckback. I use better bottles so it happens pretty often while moving them. Guess I'll stop pressing my luck and grab a handle of the cheap stuff at the next frat party.

 

[Asrial]

This seems like a really tight idea!
Inspires me to do either my upcoming stout with some JW black label in the lock (YUM!) or do a seperate kölsch/pilsner with jägermeister. Surely this will be an odd experiment, but why not?

 

[petey_c]

The vodka picks up the flavor of the wort as it is fermenting. When it comes time to rack or bottle, drink it, it is very interesting.

Hmmm, almost makes me wish I didn't use cheap Azz vodka (Military Special) for my airlock. Next batch I'll try some Grey Goose or Stoli's....

 

[drathbone]

Yeah, guess you're right, I've just never had any problems, even when I do get suckback. I use better bottles so it happens pretty often while moving them. Guess I'll stop pressing my luck and grab a handle of the cheap stuff at the next frat party.

Couple bucks for some cheap stuff, or $30+ for ingredients on a ruined batch, no matter how slight the chance. The math is pretty clear to me

 

[gr8shandini]

A couple of bucks for the cheap stuff, or zero bucks for the extra StarSan I have laying around after I sanitize everything. If you don't fear the foam, I don't see why one should fear a tenth of an ounce getting sucked back into 5 gallons of beer.

 

[Fades47]

Military special! Yesssssssss. Ha. Planing on getting some for this very reason