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Hi All,

New to distilling so forgive my ignorance.
I have searched the forum but couldn't find a answer to my question.

I'm trying to following Cranky's recipe for apple brandy.
20 liters metric equivalent apple juice ( no preservatives) with EC-1118 yeast, in 30 litre fermentation bucket so as to leave room for foaming up.
Everything is going along fine best i can tell, on day 2 now, my question relates to the air lock filling up with what looks like sediment, it's still bubbling away, should i release the air lock? Do i need to clean and replenish with water?
Or am i just better leaving things alone?
Any advice would be hugely appreciated.

You must is rising!
Just clean it out and replace the water

Ta

Thank you.
I did think that would be the case.

I’ve had that happen when I’ve tried to put too much in the primary fermenter and it “boiled” up into the air lock. Like Red said rinse and replace you will be fine. I’ve even had a ferment that was so aggressive it popped the lid. My wife suggested I change hobbies , make less, or get a bigger bucket. I went with door number 3

Darkside wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2023 6:02 am I’ve had that happen when I’ve tried to put too much in the primary fermenter and it “boiled” up into the air lock. Like Red said rinse and replace you will be fine. I’ve even had a ferment that was so aggressive it popped the lid. My wife suggested I change hobbies , make less, or get a bigger bucket. I went with door number 3

Luckly mine hasn't come to that or the old stop it or i'll leave. Gee id miss her.

Nickers wrote: ↑Wed Jan 11, 2023 9:25 pm
Any advice would be hugely appreciated.

Consider replacing your airlock with a blowoff tube. Especially if you're keen on fermenting wheat or oats.

Consider replacing your airlock with a blowoff tube. Especially if you're keen on fermenting wheat or oats.
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Thanks for the advice.
Much appreciated.

A good alternative when making my own beer is to fill with an alcohol solution (neutral and water up to 30-40 abv)....this keeps that part hygienic longer.

Darkside wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2023 6:02 am I’ve had that happen when I’ve tried to put too much in the primary fermenter and it “boiled” up into the air lock. Like Red said rinse and replace you will be fine. I’ve even had a ferment that was so aggressive it popped the lid. My wife suggested I change hobbies , make less, or get a bigger bucket. I went with door number 3

I got lucky and SWMBO allows me to conduct all aspects of this hobby in our master bedroom for now until the garage or utility room is available again.

Nickers wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2023 5:09 pm Consider replacing your airlock with a blowoff tube. Especially if you're keen on fermenting wheat or oats.

Im an experienced beer brewer. The blow off tube into a water bucket is best until the foam settles as the fermentation slows.
Thanks for the advice.
Much appreciated.
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