Airlock Bubblers Help Please !!

[Becklee]

This is my first brew since the temperature has dropped and I am after some advice.

I have just started a Coopers European lager using a water bath with aquarium heater installed to maintain the temp. The fermenter I am using doesn't have a hole in the lid to insert an Airlock Bubbler and I have noticed that the lid is starting to bow and has condensation on the inside.

Will the brew still ferment properly and would I be better using an airlock bubbler in future.

 

[timcunnell]

I think opinion is divided on airlock bubblers. On the one had they're obviously useful for seeing that fermentation is occurring etc. But they are not a hard and fast indication of when it has stopped. Hydrometer readings are more accurate indicator.

I think though that you'd want some means of escape for the CO2 from your FV. As you've noted, the lid will start to bulge, and when the process really gathers pace, that CO2 is going to find a way out eventually - which could end up being rather messy!

Others on here will be better placed to give advice, but I would suggest you consider making a small hole in your lid for now, so CO2 can escape. Then for next time you can turn that small hole into an airlock hole.

 

[Becklee]

Thank you for the reply, I wasn't sure the best way to let the gases escape if at all as I usually use a fermenter with a Krausen on.

 

[timcunnell]

Thank you for the reply, I wasn't sure the best way to let the gases escape if at all as I usually use a fermenter with a Krausen on.

Some people actually go for a completely open-top approach, and you can drape a clean towel or something similar over the top of your FV to stop any airborne nasties from falling in. Personally I find that approach a little scary but it definitely works for some people.

The thing to note is that the CO2 coming off your brew during the fermenting process is heavier and denser than the air around it. So actually it forms an invisible forcefield over your beer. So if you make a small hole in the lid, nothing would get in.

I'm honestly not sure what the consequences might be if you were to ferment in an entirely sealed FV - but you'd end up with a LOT of pressure building. I think you'd find that the lid would blow off - and quite possibly with a spurt of beer!

 

[DanST]

I wouldn't make a hole in the lid now as you could quite easily contaminate your brew doing it.

Just open the lid slightly to vent the pressure then reseal if you are worried. Check the lid feels hard first each time before doing it to make sure there is pressure to vent. If you can push it down a bit don't bother.

You can ferment in a sealed vessel without a problem, it depends how vigorous the fermentation reaction is. Airlocks or blow off tubes are good in my opinion but trying to rig something up mid brew is going to be more hassle than it's worth unless the lid is getting blown off.

 

[Becklee]

Thank you for your advice, I will test the pressure on the lid and release if needed. I think I will invest in the airlock lick for the next brew

 

[timcunnell]

I wouldn't make a hole in the lid now as you could quite easily contaminate your brew doing it.

Surely just take the lid off, drill a 5mm hole, wipe the lid with some sterilser (prepared in advance), and replace the lid? Whole job would take about 30 seconds - no different from taking a SG reading.

You can ferment in a sealed vessel without a problem

Hmmm, I would say this largely depends on the vessel! If your FV is COMPLETELY air-tight you will get a LOT of pressure building up (think how much pressure builds in a pressure barrel). The thing to consider is how much pressure how built up before your seal breaks on the FV. If you're lucky the lid will pop off with only a relatively small amount of pressure. But if you've got a really good seal you could find a lot of pressure will build before it finally goes, and then you'll have a mess. Unless you are fermenting in a vessel that is designed to withstand high pressure, you WILL lose your seal at some point.

 

[Spapro]

Not sure what FV you use, I use these with no hole/no airlock:
http://www.home-brew-online.com/equipment-c40/fermenting-vessel-25-ltr-lid-no-grommet-p690

The lid does bulge up a bit (with condensation) so you can see fermentation has started but then the excess CO2 does find a way out. Never had a problem. Figure the grommet and airlock are just something else to clean and sterilise etc.

If your lid is truely airtight just ease it up a bit in one section to relieve the pressure.

 

[Covrich]

I wouldn't drill a hole in the lid either, just fit it on and snap a corner off from being on tight.. my lids don't even fit on air tight so I don't even bother with an airlock, just one more thing to wash and sanitise..

 

[Becklee]

That is the same FV that I use and it does seem very tightly on.

 

[SiWHU]

My Christmas Ale has been fermenting away quite happily in one of these for the past week and a half. No airlock and no problems. Like a few people have already mentioned, the CO2 finds its own way out. If I found the lid to be bulging too much, then I just broke the seal and let it vent

 

[GHW]

My old fv sealed airtight and the airlock was a joy to behold as it bubbled away.

I loved the smell it gave off. Having a good sniff of the lovely aromas every so often made the wait more bearable. Watching it blubbing was reassuring. Sure it's not a guide to fermentation completing but it's part of the joy of it.

I've got a new fv which doesn't seal as well, so while the water in one side is pushed up, it doesn't really bubble. It's all a bit disappointing now.

 

[DanST]

Surely just take the lid off, drill a 5mm hole, wipe the lid with some sterilser (prepared in advance), and replace the lid? Whole job would take about 30 seconds - no different from taking a SG reading.

Hmmm, I would say this largely depends on the vessel! If your FV is COMPLETELY air-tight you will get a LOT of pressure building up (think how much pressure builds in a pressure barrel). The thing to consider is how much pressure how built up before your seal breaks on the FV. If you're lucky the lid will pop off with only a relatively small amount of pressure. But if you've got a really good seal you could find a lot of pressure will build before it finally goes, and then you'll have a mess. Unless you are fermenting in a vessel that is designed to withstand high pressure, you WILL lose your seal at some point.

It's not a huge job to do no but there's more of a risk doing that than just opening the side slightly.

As for the pressure you won't always have enough build up to pop the lid off. Fv's aren't designed to be completely airtight like pressure barrels so may leak a bit. I used a wilko fv sealed with no airlock for about 5-6 brews with no problems. I'm not saying you will never have one blow the lid off but it's not inevitable.

 

[Becklee]

I called the good lady and asked her to check the brew when she got in and said there was a sweet smell of beer in the air so I guess all is good.

 

[DanST]

As long as there's not actual beer flying around with it lol!

 

[Becklee]

Ha ha, she would love that. Saves bottling it !!

 

[Racinsnake]

I don't bother with air locks and I snap shut the lid all the way round as tight as possible, the lid bows but the Co2 always managed to escape. A truly air tight snap shut lid would be unusual

 

[cockerhoop]

I usually snap the lid on securely and then just lift one edge. Like somebody else said its 1 less thing to clean.
My latest fermenter however, came with a hole in the lid, so I fitted an air lock and snapped the lid on fully.
I was a bit alarmed that no bubbles came through the airlock. The beer fermented perfectly though, so I guess the CO2 found its way out anyway.
If there is no hole already in your lid I wouldn't bother.
The CO2 is heavier than air, so will sit on top of your brew providing a protective layer.

 

[Becklee]

Thanks for all your replies. The lid hasn't blown off so far and the brew is still in the FV. I am taking a first reading tonight so I will see how it has progressed.

 

[wfr42]

Unless you think your fermentation has stopped, DON'T bother taking a reading yet. I know it's tempting but it is another disturbance your beer doesn't need.
2-3 weeks with a reading a day or 2 before you are due to bottle/keg (and then again before bottling ) will confirm it's ready.
Best of luck with it all regardless.