Blow-off tube VS airlock

[Nosybear]

If you're concerned about suck back, which really only happens when you chill the beer in the fermentor, use cheap vodka in your airlock, either design. The minute amount of it that can be sucked back into the beer (unless you set up a siphon, as some here have done) will never be noticeable. Same holds true for Starsan in the airlock but having that in their beer is a bit off-putting to some.

 

[GFHomebrew]

I've never used a blow off tube never needed to i fermented 21-22lt batches in 35lt bucket. At the moment use a blowtie spunding valve attached to keg who's outlet is in a pressure sprayer now that's a convoluted airlock

 

[Ward Chillington]

If I'm expecting blow off and I thought ahead, the 3 piece is a good idea since you can slip a BO tube over the upright of the 3 piece then simply pull off the tube and put the cap on the upright when things simmer down. Less chance of introducing any bad stuff into the CO2 environment of the fermenter….just be sure to do that before the krausen binds to plastics together like epoxy!

 

[Sunfire96]

If I'm expecting blow off and I thought ahead, the 3 piece is a good idea since you can slip a BO tube over the upright of the 3 piece then simply pull off the tube and put the cap on the upright when things simmer down. Less chance of introducing any bad stuff into the CO2 environment of the fermenter….just be sure to do that before the krausen binds to plastics together like epoxy!

Interesting...which size tubing (i.d.) fits over the 3 piece? I have 5/16" and it seems too snug to fit

 

[Semper Sitientem]

1/2” I.d.

 

[BarbarianBrewer]

If I'm expecting blow off and I thought ahead, the 3 piece is a good idea since you can slip a BO tube over the upright of the 3 piece then simply pull off the tube and put the cap on the upright when things simmer down. Less chance of introducing any bad stuff into the CO2 environment of the fermenter….just be sure to do that before the krausen binds to plastics together like epoxy!

Well....that was the plan! I now have a permanent blow off tube attachment.

 

[Hawkbox]

Yeah I found they kind of became permanent unless you wanted to use a knife.

 

[BarbarianBrewer]

Yeah I found they kind of became permanent unless you wanted to use a knife.

Nah, just bought another 3-piece airlock. They're pretty cheap.

 

[Hawkbox]

Same

 

[thunderwagn]

When I've had that happen, I'd soak in really hot water. Like almost boiling hot, and it softens up the rubber enough to pop right off. Works great on keg lines/barbed fittings also.

 

[Herm brews]

I use both blow off tube and bubblers (s-type and 3 piece). I just switched out the tubes for the bubblers on the two carboys fermenting my BelWit. Fermentation charging along with lots of bubbles, virtually no krausen. Hoping for a good result.

 

[Ebrius Spiritus]

I know it's an old thread... just for fun! I was going to buy some of the 1" tubing for a blowoff tube - but I just didn't need 10' of it!

So, my cheap overcame my lazy and I MacGyvered a solution - I have an extra Big Mouth Bubbler lid and spigot. Put one of the gaskets on the spigot with the taper pointing away from the spigot (this is important). Put the spigot into the top/outside opening of the lid and carefully line up the gasket so there aren't any gaps between the gasket and the lid. Then, attach the nut to the spigot on the other side - get it tight enough to seal, but don't crank it down so far it warps the gasket. Don't use the second gasket on this side, you won't be able to get the nut on the threads. Since it seals on the top side, this is OK.

Works like a charm and I can use tubing I already have to connect the fermenter to the jug of sanitizer.

(I tried to attach pictures, but the forum software "is having a problem." Sorry, all. )

 

[Minbari]

I know it's an old thread... just for fun! I was going to buy some of the 1" tubing for a blowoff tube - but I just didn't need 10' of it!

So, my cheap overcame my lazy and I MacGyvered a solution - I have an extra Big Mouth Bubbler lid and spigot. Put one of the gaskets on the spigot with the taper pointing away from the spigot (this is important). Put the spigot into the top/outside opening of the lid and carefully line up the gasket so there aren't any gaps between the gasket and the lid. Then, attach the nut to the spigot on the other side - get it tight enough to seal, but don't crank it down so far it warps the gasket. Don't use the second gasket on this side, you won't be able to get the nut on the threads. Since it seals on the top side, this is OK.

Works like a charm and I can use tubing I already have to connect the fermenter to the jug of sanitizer.

(I tried to attach pictures, but the forum software "is having a problem." Sorry, all. )

As long as it works. You really just need a bulkhead barb and hose.

 

[Ozarks Mountain Brewery]

Example

 

[Minbari]

Example

View attachment 29237

That one might be finished by now, man

 

[Ozarks Mountain Brewery]

That one might be finished by now, man

I think that really says 23, probably rushed

 

[Ward Chillington]

So, my cheap overcame my lazy and I MacGyvered a solution

Love it! Cheap Bastards Unite...Semper Insumptuosus!

What's in the fermenter?