No lids for bins

[gizmo]

I've just started brewing kits again and found 2 new fermenting bins but no lids. Is it ok to ferment with no lids on and use something else to cover them? I seem to remember on the Black Sheep brewery tour standing above the squares with 15 others coughing etc and nothing protecting anything Is this just me being thick?????

[IanRMartin]

Not sure! I wouldn't like to try fermenting without a lid :huh:
But you can just purchase spare lids
http://www.art-of-brewing.co.uk/acatalog/intro.html

[vaudy]

When fermenting top fermenting brews, I only loosly place the lid on the fermenter until the yeast as established a head, I then remove the lid leaving it off until the head as lapsed, then again I loosly place it back on the bin until the desired gravity is reached and racking commences into a barrel.

Vaudy

[jasonaustin]

So long as there is a good head of yeast there is no problem with fermenting without a lid as the yeast head protects the wort from any nasties lurking in air. Many people think it desirable to let the yeast 'breathe' - I'm not sure of the science behind this. I usually just lay a lid on the fermenter until the yeast head forms and then remove it. I would fit a lid and airlock towards the end of fermentation (or when dropped to secondary) as the surface of the beer becomes exposed to the air as fermentation subsides.

[Jim]

I think that all traditional breweries using top fermentation have open fermentation vessels. Apparently some of the vapours that come off during the early stages can cause off-flavours if they don't escape. They can get away with it because they brew in large quantities and the yeast head protects the brew.

It's more dangerous for us home brewers to do that, because we tend to use small quantities of yeast (so it takes longer to get going) and we brew in smaller quantities. If you have a good strong yeast, and plenty of it, it's OK to leave the top off once there's a good head of yeast going.

[PieOPah]

I also hear of people using bin bags to protect their beer.

[Andy]

I cover the beer until a head has formed, I then leave the bin uncovered for the remainder of the fermentation. I do ferment in a room that is not used though and keep the door shut so it doesn't get disturbed much....

[mysterio]

I leave the lid on loosely for the whole fermentation. I see no reason to remove it and plenty to leave it on considering how filthy my room is...

[Bigster]

my lid stays on nice and tight but would agree it could come off when a good froth on

[gizmo]

What a response, thankyou all. I didn't realise I could buy just a lid, I will get an order in on the site IanRMartin suggested. I've used this site before. Thanx again