URGENT! Airlock advise please!

[Herringgull1]

Can anyone kindly explain how to use an airlock? im making some elder port and its ready to put in DJ ive got a wilko airlock, the one with 6 bubbles, how do i fill it please? to what level?

 

[calluma11]

I usually fill it to around about the level of the first bubble.
Some people use boiled kettle water that's cooled, others used a sterlised solution.. Ive always just used cold tap water and been fine.

Remember to sterlilise the rubber bung and airlock though

 

[Herringgull1]

Phew! thankyou pet

 

[Chippy_Tea]

As calluma says fill the first bubble on each side, when you push the airlock into the DJ neck the water will move round into the outlet side and fill two bubbles and just fill the U bend, this is normal.

Dont forget to put the red dust cap back on the top, some new home brewers think it is packaging and throw them away.

 

[Herringgull1]

Right, done that and alls well! i didnt know its a dust cap, i thought it was used for storing the wine in the DJ after the ferment! things werent like that in the good old days when the locks were made of glass and had 2 bubbles at the most lol thanks guys for your help.

 

[Munch]

Oops best stick my red cap back on... cheers

 

[warra48]

What's an airlock ? Haven't used one for years.

I use 2 or 3 layers of clingwrap over the top of the fermenter, held in place with the rubber seal removed from the inside of the lid.
And it's great to see the fermentation happening, which you can't do through the lid.
A bit like granny when glass fronted oven doors first appeared. She sat there spellbound through the whole baking of a cake.

 

[Chippy_Tea]

You take being tight to a whole new level. :lol: