Info on containers please

[BoisBlancBoy]

I understand that you can use any food grade plastic container as long as you know it was new or what was preciously in it. I see a lot of people talking about air locks and triple air locks and such, what is that all about? Also is it nesseccary to have this? To cover or not to cover that is the question, haha.

[jholmz]

the air lock allows the co2 to escape from a sealed fermenter, no it is not actually necessary to have an airtight seal on the ferment, my lids are loose and allow the co2 to escape without allowing bugs and other nasties to enter. as far as necessary to have a cover on it no its not mandatory but a cover allows a blanket of co2 to stay on top of the wash thus not allowing oxygen and other things into the wash. as far as what to use to cover the fermenter it can be a lid or as little as a cloth cover. most on here would recommend covering the wash for safety and it helps to prevent the wash getting infected

[BoisBlancBoy]

Yeah I definitely plan on covering it just didn't know what the proper procedure was.

[wv_hillbilly]

I don't use an airlock or anything, just cover it with a cloth and away she goes, it creates a lovely smell throughout the house, and if something starts going wrong, I can tell right away,

[BoisBlancBoy]

Thanks guys. How important is it to regulate the mash/washes temp? If what I picked up on is right mashes/washes have all have a particular temp they like to be?

[wv_hillbilly]

Yeah, it'll depend on the yeast you are using. Too hot can kill it, too cold it'll go to sleep. I use bakers yeast and keep mine around 80-85.

[BoisBlancBoy]

What's the best way to regulate temp? Is it crucial to keep it within a few degrees of the target temp?

[wv_hillbilly]

I just use a heated blanket, some people use light bulbs.

[Bushman]

Here is how I do it, keeps it within the 2.5 C I set it at. You can buy the aquarium controller on eBay.

http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... =2&t=25475