Air lock question

[Robbo12]

Hi I'm doing my first ever run i have a question i half filled my airlock last night got up this morning and half the water has gone out of it is this normal ? And second one is the water that's in it is bubbling is that normal and the other one is if the air lock emptys do i just refill it and put it back on thanks.

[jonx69]

I assume your talking about fermenting your wash,
the bubbles are the Co2 being produced by the yeast, which is eating the sugar to make alcohol, if you have a strong ferment there's enough gas to blow out any liquid in the airlock, topping up is ok, some use boiled water, starsan solution or vodka.

[Icefever]

+1.......there is a school of thought where some guys don't bother with airlocks and leave the FV open. With the plastic buckets most of us use, I've grabbed the handle to lift the bucket up to a working hight only to see the contents of the lock get syphoned back into the bucket.

You could always make a blow off bottle???

[Robbo12]

Ok thanks for the replies I'm using the classic 8 turbo wash i will see how it goes .

[Robbo12]

Is an aquarium thermometer any good for my wash and if so which one? Thanks mark.

[Mash]

If the wash is started well I don't bother with an airlock. Just a crack the thread on the lid.

[H12rpo]

Yes they keep the wash temp fine, but there’s always the problem of how you suspend them in the wash, you don’t want them touch the side of a plastic bin if you use them, or if you use a fermenter, there’s some two hole rubber bungs to facilitate the dangling and an air lock

[Robbo12]

Ok I've got an Delta therm heater what is the ideal fermentation temp.

[Mash]

Yes they keep the wash temp fine, but there’s always the problem of how you suspend them in the wash, you don’t want them touch the side of a plastic bin if you use them, or if you use a fermenter, there’s some two hole rubber bungs to facilitate the dangling and an air lock

Use a youngs wide mouth FV. Cut the plug off, thread it through a bored bung and fit that in place of the airlock. Use insulation tape to close up at desired height. Reattach plug. Crack lid (or just remove the o ring) to allow co2 out. Bingo

Good solid performer. Done 100's of runs.

If using it outside in a garage fold a sleeping bag back on its self length wise - makes the best cosy. Stand on polystyrene. Failing that get an old fridge.

[RumJohn]

Dump the airlock. No advantage.

A handy tool is a Japanese made floating dairy thermometer.

[Easydrinker]

Just my take on things, so obviously MY WAY,but do as YOU will.

Airlocks on brews for stillin'= why?

Not letting Aquarium heaters in HDPE brew vessels touch the sides,= why not?

Sleeping bags and Polystyrene in the shed, fooking obvious.

I rest my case M'lud.

GUILTY!

Hang them all.

Robert.

[Myles]

I only normally use airlock on wine / mead.
When fermenting for stilling I use large screw top drums with the lids loosely fitted, or open top drums with just a cloth over the top to stop bugs getting in.

[Mash]

+1 to both.

... Floating dairy thermometer. Hmm. I find a bored cork bung threaded on the end works well on bigger ferments, but mostly I just use a IR gun thermo?

[H12rpo]

But I actually like the airlocks......I love the bubbling and actually watch for the reducing/slowing rate, though I appreciate they’re not strictly needed.
As for keeping the heaters away from the side of the vessels I was concerned about them melting the plastic ......2hen they’re not in water they are certainly hot enough to take th3 skin of your hand as I’ve found out to my cost!

[Easydrinker]

My brews would blow the water out of airlocks.
My aquarium heaters have so far not melted the sides of my brew bins, but they may do given time, and enough encounters.
If your way keeps you happy and safe then I will not knock it.

Robert.