Airlock question

[Colsa]

So i have my fermenting vessel, it has an airlock on the lid, now then, how do i use the airlock?

I'm thinking that when the FV expands, i open the airlock to let the air out then close the airlock again, this is easier than cracking open the lid of the FV to let the air out, is this correct guys? thanks :)

 

So i have my fermenting vessel, it has an airlock on the lid, now then, how do i use the airlock?

I'm thinking that when the FV expands, i open the airlock to let the air out then close the airlock again, this is easier than cracking open the lid of the FV to let the air out, is this correct guys? thanks :)

does your air lock look like this ...

if so...
pop it in the hole in the lid then .....
half fill it with water...

pop the cap on...
and thats it ...
nothing els to do...
regards mick.... :hat: .

 

[Colsa]

Thankyou so much Mick, that's the airlock yes, I had no idea what it was for or how to use it, i'm doing my first brew this weekend, thanks again :

 

Thankyou so much Mick, that's the airlock yes, I had no idea what it was for or how to use it, i'm doing my first brew this weekend, thanks again :

no worrys ...im doing my first one this week aswell...
i no the basics just havent done it yet ...
but i have to say this is a great forum ...
you get a lot of help ....the people are great...
if i wore a hat ...,
id take it off to them ... :hat: .
regards mick...

 

[johnnyboy1965]

No need to put the red cap on. I really dont understand why they are supplied with a cap.

 

[PD]

So you can see it more easily and don't knock it with a passing hand....

Colsa....I would love to see you keep opening the air lock to let the air out ! Especially when it starts to bubble every couple of seconds or so...

Just stick it in and forget it

I think there's a youtube video about air locks on Craig tube.

 

[Moley]

No need to put the red cap on. I really don't understand why they are supplied with a cap.

There's a small gap between the cap and the bubbler which will allow gas to escape but keep any flies and dust out. While you've got the cap, use it. When you lose it, don't worry about it.

 

[Ian...]

I'm going to confuse you even further by saying that you don't even need an airlock for beer I have never used one. Just a loose fitting lid on your FV. When your fermentation starts, a layer of CO2 will sit on top of the wort and keep the air out. Now someone else will come along and say its better to be safe and use an airlock so the choice is yours. Either way is fine.

The most common advice on here to most questions is probably:

'Leave it alone and it will be fine.' and that's perfectly true.

:

 

[fbsf]

its better to be safe and use an airlock...

Misquoting I know, but I couldn't resist. :lol:

For what it's worth, I use an airlock as my FV seals pretty well. And I love the glumping sound.

But if you have an FV that doesn't seal well and you try to use an airlock...it won't glump and you might think that the brew has failed. 99.9% that is hasn't, but you might still be tempted to open the lid and have a look.

+1 for leaving it alone! Get everything in there (wort, fermentables, yeast), close it up and forget about it for two weeks.