I'm relatively new to beer making but have done 13 different kits now with some good success, I have had no failures due to infections as yet. I take sensible precautions and sanitise thoroughly. I started off fermenting in buckets fitted with air locks and was always having problems getting the lids to seal enough for the air locks to bubble and I use to worry over it. I mentioned it in passing to the owner of my lhbs and he looked aghast at me using an air lock. For wine yes for beer not necessary he says. When your brews in the fermenting bucket with its yeast added just put the lid on loosely not fastened down or snapped shut at all. Then hit one edge of the lid to snap close one part of the lid to the bucket. that stops you loosing it ! he said. The rest is left just resting on the bucket. Cover the whole lot if you want with a clean towel and let it ferment.
Dubiously I did it with brew 4 and I'm now on brew 13 and not had any problems at all. I still have air locks fitted just to cover the hole in the lid. There's one or two flying things around on days the weather warms up but they can't get through the towel and an occasional squirt round the bottom half of the bucket with a diluted bleach solution makes me feel better. I'm now not paranoid re the air lock not bubbling I can sneak a peek occasionally at the brew without feeling like some kind of intruder, and all in all its worked out fine. Its the method I will continue to use.
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