Airlocks 101

This video is about home brewing, airlocks and some of the issues that can come up due to airlock failure or a fermenter that doesn't have a good air tight seal. It might look like a failed batch, but this video will show that it might just be an airlock issue.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• home
• brew
• homebrew
• airlock
• ferment
• fermenting
• beer
• wine
• alcohal
• blowout
• fermentation

[RightWingCon81]

How versitile are airlocks? I have an old wine jug I plan on using for cider, and I'm sure the airlock I bought on amazon is good, b ut I also want to try making it in a 5 gallon poland spring bottle with a bigger mouth, any way to make it work with that?

[CraigTube]

@RightWingCon81 You just need a different sized rubber bung.

[cadmio112]

Hi Craig I really like your video. Just one question, if I had a 300 L fermentor I should use 1 airlock (the same you show) too ? or should I use another system when I ´m preparing more liters ?

Regards from Argentina

[CraigTube]

@cadmio112 LOL this is a great question. A whole different system would have to be used. A single airlock would blow off to the moon. Beyond that. You'd have to ask a brewery. I do 23 Liters.

[drastic801]

craig, my bucket doesnt use a bung to seal it but instead has a little hole with a small black o-ring which i push my airlock into. Well, when i pushed the airlock in i pushed too hard and the o-ring fell through. I did my best to seal the small space between the airlock and opening by using a small amount of plastic/tape. The airlock was bubbling the next day then soon stopped and i can see condensation underneath the tape indicating a small leak. Should i move to secondary ferm asap?

[CraigTube]

@drastic801 No need to do anything. There's enough gas coming out that nothing will get in. Go ahead and move it to secondary when it's time. No worries. My new Coopers fermenter doesn't even have an airlock. The lid just sits loosely on top.

[wtwrighty]

Craig. Thanks. Just one question pertaining to my "drain" style airlock. After I install it into the lid I then add vodka and snap on the cap. Why isn't the vodka level in both sections of the airlock? It gets really full in the right side and just a little in the left (side that goes into the bucket). Shouldn't it be level at least until pressure builds from fermentation? Good news is there is vodka in the "trap" so that's positive. Also it bubbles like crazy. Just wondering why the imbalance.

[Pierogihead]

@CraigTube Midwest Supplies is a great source for rubber stoppers and other brewing equipment;

[namesleft]

hey i cant thank you enough for the info i am new at this and starte my first brew two days ago and my air lock was not doing any thing and i happened to stumble on your vid tryed the pressing on lid to see if seal was good and it was leaking aroud the rim even with it down tight could not get it to seal right at all so check this i took suran rap and rolled it out and rolled it up then poked it down all aroud the lid to make a gasket type thing put the lid back on and presto it worked. thanks

[theBUBBAMANcan]

Craig,

Your vids are really great! I'm a total newb and you explain things in simple terms that even I can understand...thanks!