First AG run prep questions

[AshleyH84]

Afternoon all,

I'm just about to embark on my first all grain brew (tomorrow). One thing that is bothering me is that my fermenter buckets don't have airlocks. Straight snap on lids. Previously I have been doing kits but decided to jump to all grain. I think I got away with it when doing kits but I really don't want to spend all the time an AG takes to ruin it if I can avoid doing so!

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Welcome to the forum. :

A lot of members don't have FV's with airlocks, some lay the lid on the top, some snap it shut but not fully, some use cling film (no lid), i cannot remember reading a thread where this has caused ruined beer.

.

 

[AshleyH84]

Thanks for the reply!

That's good to know. I'm a little anxious about my first run as it is so I'm just trying to have everything as correct as possible!

 

[DoctorMick]

I don't use an airlock, fortunately my FV has a screw on centre part to the lid so I just make sure it is loosely screwed on. For a clip on lid I'd just make sure it is slightly cracked open on one side.

 

[TartanSpecial]

Afternoon all,

One thing that is bothering me is that my fermenter buckets don't have airlocks. Previously I have been doing kits but decided to jump to all grain. I think I got away with it when doing kits but I really don't want to spend all the time an AG takes to ruin it if I can avoid doing so!

If you have managed to ferment kits successfully, then there should be no reason you shouldn't be able to ferment a batch of AG wort using your existing kit.
Let us know how the day goes...stay calm and concentrate on getting the mash temp in the 'zone'.

 

[yeastinfection]

i have one with and one without, all good.

 

[Slid]

If you have managed to ferment kits successfully, then there should be no reason you shouldn't be able to ferment a batch of AG wort using your existing kit.
Let us know how the day goes...stay calm and concentrate on getting the mash temp in the 'zone'.

Yes, I agree, once you have your wort, then it is just wort. Possibly much better than from a kit. The most dangerous part of the process is right at the start, so if you put the lid on at pitching the yeast, then ease it off a little after half a day or so, then re-close it when the initial ferment is over, all will be well.

 

[Gerryjo]

I have a fermenter that I used a few times and never got a bubble in my airlock as the lid never sealed properly and didn't affect my AG brew at all.

Sent from my ALE-L21

 

[Ale]

When I did that I mashed at 70° as the How to said 65-70°. I didnt know that at the higher end you get more unfermentable starch so it stopped fermenting at gravity of 1.020.

 

[Gerryjo]

Have you taken a reading of your wort preboil as this will certainly give a rough indication of you target OG and you may need to add some adjuncts to bring it up.

Sent from my ALE-L21

 

[Horse]

I spent the first years of my AG life doing open bucket fermentation - just like a real British brewery! Loose fitting lid over the bucket, removed once a decent krausen and then back on as the yeast head sinks. Only works for top fermenting yeast. No need to be paranoid about airlocks or access to the atmosphere, I never had an infected batch. I've moved to better bottles just for ease of moving them around.

 

[Simonh82]

I don't think you ever really need an airlock but with some yeasts it can be useful to have a blow-off tube. Some big top cropping English ale yeast will make a real mess if you don't have a blow off tube rigged up. It isn't the end of the world but it can certainly be pretty messy.

My first few brews were all done without an airlock though and nothing bad happened infection-wise. Just a bit of escaping krausen on a particularly vigorous fermentation.

 

[Personal91]

Afternoon all,

I'm just about to embark on my first all grain brew (tomorrow). One thing that is bothering me is that my fermenter buckets don't have airlocks. Straight snap on lids. Previously I have been doing kits but decided to jump to all grain. I think I got away with it when doing kits but I really don't want to spend all the time an AG takes to ruin it if I can avoid doing so!

What equipment do you have/did you use ?

 

[AshleyH84]

What equipment do you have/did you use ?

Hi Personal91,

Sorry for not replying the Christmas period took over. I didn't manage to get round to doing my first patch. It will be done sometime shortly.

I have replaced most of my kit over the last month or so, the question regards fermenters with airlocks arose from browsing forums.

I have a HLT, Mash Tun, Electric (Metal) boiler, wort chiller, fermenter buckets and a new acquired fermenting fridge! Plus a load of the usual bits. I'm currently in 2 minds as to run with my tap water or to get some distilled water... yet another question that has arisen from reading forums! So much to think about. I plan to run this week at some stage.... he says!

 

[Personal91]

Hi Personal91,

Sorry for not replying the Christmas period took over. I didn't manage to get round to doing my first patch. It will be done sometime shortly.

I have replaced most of my kit over the last month or so, the question regards fermenters with airlocks arose from browsing forums.

I have a HLT, Mash Tun, Electric (Metal) boiler, wort chiller, fermenter buckets and a new acquired fermenting fridge! Plus a load of the usual bits. I'm currently in 2 minds as to run with my tap water or to get some distilled water... yet another question that has arisen from reading forums! So much to think about. I plan to run this week at some stage.... he says!

Don't worry it'll be alright on the night :)