Handy Airlock Problem

[Donn]

I'm only new to this brewing, i looked high and low for the answer and i cant find it anywhere.

I purchase a balliihoo brewing kit

Got the airlock with it but there was no instruction on how to use or fill it properly, it also came with two rubber pieces, one was a o-ring the other was a cap, i know the o-ring goes on top of the Fermentation Bucket but where does the cap go and how much water do i fill it with.

Be nice i am new :pray:

 

[PD]

half fill with water put the cap on the top to stop creepy crawlies going for a swim

 

[Donn]

sorry now for been a pain but the rubber piece on the right, on top of what, I'm not too clear on what to do exactly

its more like a stopper if anything

 

[Vossy1]

Did your fv lid come pre drilled with a hole?

The rubber piece on the right is a grommet. You drill a hole in your fv lid slightly smaller than the external dimensions of the grommet then push the grommet into the hole, the lid will seat in the gap between the pieces of rubber either side of the grommet.
The left fitting also looks like a grommet but can't tell from that angle, are the 2 the same?

 

[LeedsBrewer]

yep they're grommets. The hole i drilled for mine were 12mm (though you'll need to measure yours and check). If there is already a hole in your fv lid then you can just go ahead and fit the grommet. When your brew is in the fermenter you can then put your airlock into the grommet and fill it 1/3 of the way up and fit the lid. :thumb:

 

[Donn]

ok that not a great image i pull that from off line

yes one is a grommet the other one i have is a rubber cap

i was onto Balliihoo and they told me for the best results put the rubber cap on so you can seal up the hole and slight open the lid on the fv, only use the airlock for wine.

That's what the boys from balliihoo told me anyways

yer a great bunch of people very helpful i must say :

 

[calumscott]

i was onto Balliihoo and they told me for the best results put the rubber cap on so you can seal up the hole and slight open the lid on the fv, only use the airlock for wine.

That's what the boys from balliihoo told me anyways

yer a great bunch of people very helpful i must say :

That seems totally bizarre to me!

Airlocks do one function. They let gas out but not in. Regardless of what is being fermented.

The question is not for which brew do you use one, it's whether to use one or not! If you have the kit, use it. It might be a low infection risk to just crack the seal of the lid a bit but it's a lower one for no cost and about 20 seconds work to fit the airlock.

What a very odd response from them... :wha:

 

[Donn]

i read somewhere, don't know where now with browsing though the net all morning but a good few people said they prefer to crack the lid.

But you seem to know what you are talking about so i say i go with you,

do i just leave the plastic cap for the airlock slight on or what?
Was trying it earlier but was getting no where with it and when should i see the bubbles appearing?

sorry for all the questions

 

[calumscott]

i read somewhere, don't know where now with browsing though the net all morning but a good few people said they prefer to crack the lid.

They do, because then they don't have to buy airlocks, the difference in infection risk is going to be slight. The difference is that you already have one so there is no additional expense.

But you seem to know what you are talking about so i say i go with you,

do i just leave the plastic cap for the airlock slight on or what?
Was trying it earlier but was getting no where with it and when should i see the bubbles appearing?

sorry for all the questions

Questions are good!

So the grommet goes in the hole in the lid.

If your airlock is a u-bend style with the sort of bubble shaped chambers, then add enough water to fill the first one on each side. Stick the red cap on the top.
If it's one of the barrel shaped ones, then add just enough water so that with the top on the water level comes just 2 or 3 mm up the bottom part of the lid.

Then shove the bottom tube of the lock into the grommet and you are good to go. :thumb:

 

[Donn]

its so easy when u know what your doing

:thumb:

thanks man