Pressure Barrel Cap with Vent System??

[simon04]

Newbie with quick couple of questions please??

Is the Pressure Barrel Cap with Vent System a substitute for an airlock? It says it releases excess pressure during fermentation - would it have some kind of one-way system??

Also, my barrel gasser is an old one - it seemed to blow back a fair bit of gas from the nozzle after gassing the barrel. Is this normal? Or is there a leak?

Many thanks,
Simon,.

 

[Dr Mike]

For a slow & steady secondary fermentation, I'd say it is a substitute. Lets gas out and doesn't let gas in.

I would not use it for primary fermentation though as it requires pressure to build up before it will vent. This will cause more CO2 to build up in solution and can stun the yeast.

 

[simon04]

Thanks.

I was thinking of using this for the first fermentation.... So I guess I'd be best to buy an airlock cap...

 

[hairybiker]

For beer you can ferment open <gasp> no cap or airlock needed, just cover with a tea towl or a paper towel. I do this regularly.

 

[Dr Mike]

As hairybiker says, for ale fermentation, you don't need an airlock unless you intend to leave it in there for weeks. Lots of commercial breweries use open vat fermenters.

I use a standard fermenting bucket with the lid on but the airlock hole left unplugged.

 

[simon04]

The next brew I plan to do, looks like it will take some time...

I have a plain cap which I can drill and fit an airlock to be on the safe side..

Going back to the gas cap - is it normal behaviour for it to blow back?

 

[Dr Mike]

Don't have much experience of pressure gas injectors. Maybe it's just the relief valve venting some of the pressure after you inject it. That's what the venting is for - stops the barrel being over-pressured and exploding!

 

[simon04]

It seems to becoming from the nozzle of the gas cylinder. It doesn't do it immediately - but shortly after the gas is released. The unit is quite old.