Air Locks

Post by **stillvodka** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 9:10 am

Hello Distillers,

Can i ask a bit of advice,

I have 25ltr fermentation bucket with no holes in the lid for fermentation locks, when i followed the instruction on the turbo yeast packet it said when the fermentation first starts do not fit fermentation locks just put the lids back on but don't secure air tight, gas build up blow them off, but i don't like the thought of not having the buckets with the lids air tight fitted because of bacteria getting in my brew, so what i have done is got some 1/2'' tubes puncture a smaller hole in the lid and forced the tube through the lid so as to be air tight and put the other end of the tube in a bucket of water.
Is it OK to do this
Thanks.

stoker · Post by **stoker** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 9:23 am

a towel on your fermenter is really enough, certainly if you use Turbo.
but that tube thing should work, but if the fermentation goes very fast, it might get blown off

Bujapat · Post by **Bujapat** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 9:26 am

If I understand well, your 1/2" tube has an U form and goes from your bucket to the water pot... It must work... The goal is : no oxygen comes in and CO2 can go out...

Post by **stillvodka** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 10:27 am

The reason why asked, is that on the forum i know that there is a lot on here with miles more knowledge than me when it comes down to the science thing, what i was a bit concerned about, that for some reason the water in the bucket/pot might find it's way back up the tube and get into my brew, i was just making sure really, you know, you think it's alright and for some reason it ain't, and everything has gone to pot.

Thanks

stoker · Post by **stoker** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 10:30 am

you can be sure, water won't come up, pressure in your fermenter is bigger then outiside. and it wouldn't even be that bad, you would still have a propper fermenting.

Post by **stillvodka** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 11:14 am

OK Stoker, That's what i thought, ill just keep my eye on it and make sure the tubes don't blow out

Watershed · Post by **Watershed** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 12:01 am

I just put a loose lid on the top of the bin to stop stuff falling in - regardless of what kind of yeast I'm using.

Aidas · Post by **Aidas** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 2:07 am

I've never used turbo yeast, but primary fermentation in an open container (covered with a towel or gauze) is fine. After your primary fermentation is done (when the really serious bubbling stops), you can put on the lid with an airlock to finish out the fermentaion.

By the way, when you put the lid on loosely, the CO2 that is being produced forms a layer on top of the must, so it's protected from airborne nasties to a great extent. It's more important to keep flies or other things from getting in -- that's what the towel/lid is for.

Aidas

Watershed · Post by **Watershed** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 11:29 pm

Aidas wrote:I It's more important to keep flies or other things from getting in -- that's what the towel/lid is for.

Aidas

'specialy when you brew vinegar too like me.

KatoFong · Post by **KatoFong** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 5:59 am

What's the old saying? "You catch more flies with whiskey than vinegar."

junkyard dawg · Post by **junkyard dawg** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 7:32 am

is it just me, or do flies seems to LOVE whiskey mash? They show up like a plague whenever I'm working with it

Bujapat · Post by **Bujapat** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 2:03 pm

It isn't just you!!! When I throw my backset in the compost, millions of flies come after 5 minutes... Don't know if they are drunk after that!