Bubblers...airlocks

[Derbybrewer]

Hi,

Just bought a book that claims to be Home Brew Bible

(if interested book is here - http://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Brew-Everyt ... 181&sr=1-4)

...and in the 'equipment needed for first brew' chapter it lists an Airlock or Bubbler as they are known.

This airlock appears to be sticking out of the top of the FV.

I am on my 4th brew now and have never used one of these....am I missing something important here

Should I buy FV's with holes to attach an airlock or do you have to buy them specially?

Cheers
Jase

[scottmoss]

Hi,

Just bought a book that claims to be Home Brew Bible

(if interested book is here - http://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Brew-Everyt ... 181&sr=1-4)

...and in the 'equipment needed for first brew' chapter it lists an Airlock or Bubbler as they are known.

This airlock appears to be sticking out of the top of the FV.

I am on my 4th brew now and have never used one of these....am I missing something important here

Should I buy FV's with holes to attach an airlock or do you have to buy them specially?

Cheers
Jase

They are not essential most people don't use them. I do use them so I can see roughly when it has finished fermenting so I know when to take a hydrometer reading.

[trucker5774]

Lids are easily adapted by just drilling a hole and buying a gromet to fit the air lock. Many people dont bother with them. I prefer to use one. The choice is up to the individual. It does keep out any debris from the air and flies etc.

[Derbybrewer]

Hmmm... so I'm being a bit daft by sneaking the lid up after a bout 4 days to see if there is any action and letting air in?

[scottmoss]

Hmmm... so I'm being a bit daft by sneaking the lid up after a bout 4 days to see if there is any action and letting air in?

Hi,

No not at all, it will have a good layer of CO2 to protect it. It's mainly a good idea if you make wine because if you get any fruit flies in then you will have 30 bottles of vinegar!

[Derbybrewer]

Cheers,

I really appreciate the help I get on here and hope to contribute with some of my own wisdom in about err...a decade or so...

Just while I'm here, I did a batch of Geordie bitter and added half a teaspoon of sugar to each bottle as the instructions said.

I tried it after 3 weeks and although it tastes decent the stuff is frothing like a volcano. Is that the sugar or the yeast or something else?

[scottmoss]

Cheers,

I really appreciate the help I get on here and hope to contribute with some of my own wisdom in about err...a decade or so...

Just while I'm here, I did a batch of Geordie bitter and added half a teaspoon of sugar to each bottle as the instructions said.

I tried it after 3 weeks and although it tastes decent the stuff is frothing like a volcano. Is that the sugar or the yeast or something else?

It would be the sugar, the CO2 the yeast produced is causing it to do that. Try opening it slowly to let the CO2 out (assuming you have bottled it).

[sonicated]

Using an airlock is all part of the fun to me!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TwWiAYK4vY

[Derbybrewer]

Yes, quite...err...therapeutic maybe

I think my cats who are a bit inquisitive might have a go at it so I'll pass on that piece of kit.

[Ingieuk]

Listening to the glugging is part of th fun You could pay hundreds of pounds in a spar for such treatment and you wouldn't get beer out at the end!

But yeah it's not essential, I wouldn't have used one unless my FV had already come with the hole cut in the lid.