Lager advice needed

WC · Post by WC » Monday Jul 10, 2006 1:08 pm

On the 2nd July I made a Brewcraft Munich Larger with a #62 German lager kit and saflager yeast. All went well and pitched the yeast when the brew reached 20c gave it a stir sealed the fermenter and filled the airlock. There has been no activity thur the airlock but there is condensation on the inside of the lid and a nice froth on top of the brew. It has been frementing at a constant 12c. I took a sample last Saturday it smelt good and the SG was 1020. Has anyone had the same experence of the airlock not bubbling? Is it because of the low fermentation temp? the fermenter is sealed well. All advice is appreciated Cheers.

ACTbrewer · Post by **ACTbrewer** » Monday Jul 10, 2006 1:22 pm

In one of my fermenters the airlock recently stopped working. Depending on which type of airlock you have, the seal is probably incomplete. The 'S' type airlocks have a really rough edge from manafacture, and a few times removing this for cleaning will leave small 'cuts in the grommet, making the fermenter not seal properly. I now use the gladwrap method and don't rely on the airlock.
If your wort is producing condensation and a frothy Krausen then all is well.
Next time, replace your rubber grommet, check the airlock for rough edges, and check the seal on the lid.

Hillbilly · Post by **Hillbilly** » Monday Jul 10, 2006 1:39 pm

I'm with ACTbrewer, I started using the glad wrap top about 20 brews ago and have never looked back since. Less sterilizing and allways a good clear view on whats goiing on inside the fermenter.

Chris · Post by **Chris** » Monday Jul 10, 2006 2:08 pm

Gladwrap works beautifully. I've never looked back either.

da_damage_done · Post by **da_damage_done** » Monday Jul 10, 2006 2:16 pm

Gladwrap... hear hear!

shane_vor · Post by **shane_vor** » Monday Jul 10, 2006 9:07 pm

You have a leak.
Buy a glass fermenter and a rubber bung. No more sealing problems and FULL view of fermenting beer process!

mullet · Post by **mullet** » Thursday Jul 20, 2006 5:28 pm

after reading this i checked the airlock im using, and it indeed had these mold-casting dags or whatever they are. After a qucik trim and an inspection of the grommet i decided to use it anyways.

Its holding the preassure fine and the air lock is bubbling away nicley.

if you have access to some compressed air its faily easy to check for leaks. just do the same as with a gas bbq or whatever. check for bubbles. its better to find out you gear is stuffed before you start then halfway through id rekon.

MattyV · Post by **MattyV** » Thursday Jul 20, 2006 5:37 pm

Have a read of the sticky at the top of this forum titled, "My brew is not fermenting". It covers the very common issue of air-locks not bubbling. Cheers,

MattyV

The Carbonator · Post by **The Carbonator** » Thursday Jul 20, 2006 8:29 pm

I vote for gladwrap too.

I'll never use a lid n airlock again.