Greetings BAs, I brewed my second beer last Sunday and just realized today that the fermentor lid is cracked. It's been in the primary for 7 days now and I was planning on adding some oak cubes in the next few days. Should I consider this batch a loss, or will it be fine? FWIW here's a photo of the damage:
I personally would fix the lid with duct tape. Having a crack during the primary fermentation is not a big issue. It would be helpful for the crack to be sealed (via duct tape or some other means) during the secondary. Cheers!
Get a new lid, add the cubes as planned. Cover the lid with tinfoil or tape, if you can't get a new lid. If you're worried it's infected, taste it. I'm sure it's fine, continue fermentation as usual. Or just put a brick on it.
This type of air lock breach has happened to me many times over the years. I usually cover with a piece of sanitized tin foil. Never had any issues. Your batch will be fine.
For now, you'll be OK - seal it up with tape of some sort for the time being, then when you can get to your LHBS for a replacement...
Your photo looks like fermentation is still ongoing, so your beer should be okay because the fermentation was pushing CO2 outward rather than letting air in. If you don't replace the cap or seal the crack then air will begin to get in there. If this kind of a break in the cap is something that happens regularly to other brewers, then I'll recommend that you get a spare to have on hand when you replace this one. They can't be very expensive.
Got a new lid today and took a sample. Tastes great. Adding bourbon and oak cubes in a few days. Cheers!
