No lid or airlock required

[beerboy]

I have noticed on this forum homebrewers are always having trouble with their airlocks not bubbling, usually caused by the lid not sealing properly. Here is an easy solution which has been posted before on this forum. Do yourself a favour, put aside the lid and the airlock. Take the rubber seal out of your lid and get some Glad Wrap, put the plastic wrap over the top of the fermenter and secure it with the rubber seal. Some people put a pin prick in the plastic to let the gas out but I don't worry about this, the gas escapes anyhow. This way you don't have to worry bout the silly airlock not bubbling. You can see the brew all the time and can usually tell when fermentation process has completed by the fact the beer stops bubbling and starts to clear, and you don't waste as much beer with the Hydrometer tests all the time. This also saves on cleaning time and sterilization time for the lid. I've been doing it this way for a long time and have never had a problem, works like a dream.

[Paleman]

and you don't waste as much beer with the Hydrometer tests all the time.

beerboy, i drink the beer i use in my hydrometer tests. It gives me a good indication of what the beer will taste like down the track.....no wasting here.

You do make a good point though, i've often thought of ditching my lid and airlock. Can never get a good seal without fluffing around. That goes for every fermenter ive bought.

[beerboy]

Do it Paleman, or at least give it a try. You won't look back.

[NTRabbit]

I havent had a problem getting a good seal on either of my fermenters to date.

And to be honest, i dont take extra time to sterilize the lid, because it gets done when im sloshing the liquid around the inside of the fermenter anyway.

[Shaun]

What do you then escape to listen to when the wife and kids are driving you insane. Nothing like the soothing sound of an air lock bubbling away

[Paleman]

What do you then escape to listen to when the wife and kids are driving you insane. Nothing like the soothing sound of an air lock bubbling away

and if youve got two fermenters working....its in stereo !!

[beerboy]

Don't worry about listening it's more fun to watch a brew with a view.

[Dogger Dan]

Nothing more violent than a good lager fermentation in a 23 litre glass secondary.

As for primaries, airlock never fails to go like 90 even fraks the dog out.......but then I use a 15 year old food grade pail with a snap on lid that has a hole drilled into it.

Dogger

[silkworm]

Guys I agree totaly with the Zen like soothing sound of the bluubbblublub blubb blululbubb!
It brings a smile to my face everytime I pass by the bunker door.
Happy Days!!!

Silkworm

[insomnia]

haha yeah its exciting to hear the airlock bubbling away!

Each bluuuurrrp is one step closer to the beer being ready

[kelp]

Yeh its a good idea to to this when you ferment in a fridge that isnt big enough to take 2 fermenters with the lids and airlocks, works a treat.