How do I prevent blow off

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by JonathanShaink, Sep 13, 2014.

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  1. JonathanShaink

    JonathanShaink Initiate (0) Jul 4, 2014 New Hampshire

    I have had a few friends who have brewed stouts and their air locks blew off the carboys and shooting beer everywhere. I have a coffee stout kit and I want to brew it but I want to prevent the possible mess. Please help me.
     
  2. billandsuz

    billandsuz Pooh-Bah (2,097) Sep 1, 2004 New York
    Pooh-Bah

    the easy way to eliminate popping the airlock is to simply not use an airlock. problem solved.

    some people fix a length of tubing over the carboy opening and place the other end in a bowl of water. i just place a piece of foil over the top. more likely i use a bucket and place the lid loosely over the top. you only need to keep critters out, the risk of wild contamination is very slight if you handled your wort carefully.

    if this is beer in a secondary, then you should use an airlock. and there shouldn't be any blowoff in that situation anyway.
    Cheers.
     
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  3. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,057) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    The answer depends on your set-up. If you ferment in a bucket, then you need to convert your air lock to a blow-off tube arrangement. You need to get some plastic hose (3-4 feet) that will fit over the center stem of the air lock and then run the other end of the plastic tube into a container of water that sits next to the fermentor. You might also want to clip off the tiny pieces of plastic at the bottom tip of the center stem so that the plastic barriers don't stop the flow of the krausen bubbles.

    If you use a carboy (a 6.5 gallon is recommended for primary fermentation of a 5-gallon batch) then purchase 3-4 feet of plastic tubing that will fit into the mouth of the carboy, and then place the other end in a container of water. If the tubing is not tight at the mouth of the carboy then wrap some plastic warp around the tubing before jamming it into the hole.
     
  4. spartan1979

    spartan1979 Pundit (970) Dec 29, 2005 Missouri

    Use a larger fermenter. The more head space the less likely there will be blowoff.

    Or brew a smaller batch.
     
  5. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    I use a larger fermenter (7.9 gallon plastic bucket).

    You could also use Fermcap to manage the amount of krausen; a few drops per batch keeps the level of krausen down.

    The solution of a blow off hose was already discussed.

    Cheers!
     
    koopa and bgjohnston like this.
  6. Drunkensloth

    Drunkensloth Devotee (315) Aug 22, 2013 California

    I'll second ferm cap. It was always a gamble leaving a fermenting carboy while I was at work. Haven't had any mishaps since using it.
     
  7. JohnSnowNW

    JohnSnowNW Initiate (0) Feb 6, 2013 Minnesota

    Most of the suggestions have been made. However, I'll add that if you don't use an air-lock or blow-off tube, and just go with foil or loose fitting lid...make damn sure you don't have any fruit flies in the house. They love wort, and so does the lactobacillus that they harbor.
     
  8. rocdoc1

    rocdoc1 Savant (1,215) Jan 13, 2006 New Mexico

    Ferment your beer cooler and that should prevent the blowoff. Cooler fermentation temps slow down the process and prevent the blowoff, and usually (depending on the yeast and style)produce cleaner tasting beers.
     
  9. FATC1TY

    FATC1TY Pooh-Bah (2,564) Feb 12, 2012 Georgia
    Pooh-Bah

    Use a blow off tube.

    Leave enough headspace in a PROPERLY sized carboy/bucket.

    Control the fermentation temp.

    If you use the bottom two suggestions, you might could avoid a blow off tube. I'd suggest one if you have any inkling that it will get close.
     
  10. SFACRKnight

    SFACRKnight Grand Pooh-Bah (3,348) Jan 20, 2012 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I use some 3/8 stainless tubing bent in a u that I use as a blowoff wand if you will. One end is shorter and goes into the bucket or carboy bung, the longer end goes into a growler. I also use a vinters harvest bucket as it is an 8gallon bucket, and I ferment cool. Once the initial vigor of the fermentation ends I ramp my temp up a bit to keep the yeast working. All of this happens within the specified temps for the yeast I am using of course.
     
  11. Vogt52

    Vogt52 Initiate (0) May 25, 2014 Maryland

    Definitely go with a blow off tube and make sure you have enough head space in your carboy
     
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