Comments on: I think my Home Brew Shop is giving bad advice, The Three-Piece Airlock is obsolete?

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:46:59 +0000

I just bought one of those airlocks from my homebrew shop like a week ago, I like to have a few extra for when I lose one. That’s really weird that a staff member wouldn’t know the most obvious part of brewing, the airlock. Like how else does the guy think your supposed to let out CO2 without letting in foreign contaminents? What a doosh. Whatever you remember from when you used to brew is still true, and I would suggest getting your advice from a Charlie Papazian book instead of your homebrew shop.
If you’ve never heard of the books, you could start with "The complete joy of homebrewing".

Advice: Until you get your airlock in the mail, ditch the plastic wrap and use the open fermentation method. You just put the lid on the bucket without securing it in place, so it’s just sitting on there loosely (not a lid with a hole for the airlock though). CO2 will escape, and usually keep out most of the baddies. Bottle as soon as its done, or the CO2 won’t be able keep out the outside air. You should do this for no more than 5 days. So obviously only quick fermenting ales will work with this method. It will work better than the wrap, until you find an airlock.
References :

By: chasgow

chasgow — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:32:59 +0000

Well, if you’re not exaggerating, he’s an a-hole. . . I’ve been brewing for better than 20 years, and the 3-piece "bubble" air lock is still very popular. The "S" shaped airlocks are fine, but not using plastic wrap like some kind of weak TupperLock. What? Are you supposed to burp your fermenting beer every time it needs to relieve pressure?

You can find bubble air locks at any reputable, note reputable, home
brewing supply store.

I doubt you’ll build up enough pressure to cause issues, at least before
the plastic wrap blows out. Hopefully, by that time, the pH will be low enough to mitigate any wild yeast, bacteria, etc., infections.
References :

By: WhiteTrash_Momma

WhiteTrash_Momma — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:01:59 +0000

I am making beer in my basement as we speak, with stuff that I just bought about 2 weeks ago. I have a lid with an airlock. Yes you want the air to escape, this guy does not know what he is talking about. I would find a different brewing supply store or just order online.
References :

By: hrothgar

hrothgar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:12:59 +0000

Are you joking? Plastic wrap and rubber bands is for teenagers making anything to get themselves drunk.

You were right to want a proper lid and airlock. Every online store sells them.

My advice would be to be more arrogant to the shop keep and insist on doing things your way.

Me thinks he is not an avid beer fan and maybe prefers the homemade wines. Such is life, deal with him appropriately (ie, harshly) and buy what you actually SHOULD. It’s YOUR recipe, you know how it works and what you used.
References :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fermentation_lock
"Currently, the most popular fermentation lock that mounts on top of the fermentation vessel is the three-piece fermentation lock."