Zero Airlock Movement

the_fuzz · Post by **the_fuzz** » Tuesday Jan 02, 2007 10:33 pm

Hi Guys,

Onto my second brew, first one is bottled and just waiting to be drunk

Now, Just put down a IPA and after 48 hours I have no airlock activity - I also had zero airlock activity with the first brew.

However, with the first brew the yeast was quite obviously doing it's thing and I so I thought I had a dodgy airlock/gromet. So I went to the local HBS and got a new gromet and airlock for my second brew - However I still have the same result, no airlock activity but the SG is dropping and looking at the brew, there is definately something going on.

The only thing I can think of is my lid is bung? Would this just be the "o" ring? as I would assume that is what makes the seal?

Where can a new "O" ring be purchased from? Or should I just move onto my 75L fermenter?

I just get frustrated reading about everyone's airlock bubbling away, when mine does sweet f--- all.......

Cheers
Mick

Shaunc · Post by **Shaunc** » Tuesday Jan 02, 2007 10:52 pm

I've never had any bubbling with my two brews so far. What I did notice was that the water in the airlock was pushed to one side but that lasted a day on the second brew and then nothing. I relied on daily SG readings and showed fermentation was happening.

So I don't worry anymore as long as the SG readings are fine.

frankyb · Post by **frankyb** » Tuesday Jan 02, 2007 11:40 pm

hi,
to test your o ring half fill airlock fit to grommet & gentle push in on the middle of the fermenter this should make the water level higher on theopen side of airlock&should stay that way 4 awhile if it dosn't try screwin the lid tighter &retest best to do this after adding yeast

the_fuzz · Post by **the_fuzz** » Wednesday Jan 03, 2007 8:05 am

frankyb wrote:hi,
to test your o ring half fill airlock fit to grommet & gentle push in on the middle of the fermenter this should make the water level higher on theopen side of airlock&should stay that way 4 awhile if it dosn't try screwin the lid tighter &retest best to do this after adding yeast

Cheers, When I do this, the water in the airlock moves but then goes straight back to where it was sitting originally as soon as I take away my hands? To me this means that presure is escaping?

Also when I was cleaning out the fermenter, I gave the lid a shake to dry off excess water and the "o" ring fell out...... Shouldn't it be really tight?

Do bunnings sell "o" rings in standard sizes?

Noodles · Post by **Noodles** » Wednesday Jan 03, 2007 8:37 am

My guess, if your using a Coopers carboy, is the lid isn't twisted tight enough. I know they say not to over tighten them in the book, but they really do need to be very tight if you want airlock activity. I had no airlock activity in my first two brews, they both turned out fine, but from my third brew onwards i've really tightened the lid and have had airlock activity in every one.

the_fuzz · Post by **the_fuzz** » Wednesday Jan 03, 2007 8:43 am

Noodles wrote:My guess, if your using a Coopers carboy, is the lid isn't twisted tight enough. I know they say not to over tighten them in the book, but they really do need to be very tight if you want airlock activity. I had no airlock activity in my first two brews, they both turned out fine, but from my third brew onwards i've really tightened the lid and have had airlock activity in every one.

The one I'm currently using is a MSB kit, The lid is extremely tight - so much so, I actually had troubles getting it off last night when trying to fix this problem.

Hashie · Post by **Hashie** » Wednesday Jan 03, 2007 8:46 am

Never rely on air lock activity as an indicator to fermentation.
Always judge fermentation on gravity readings.

Beer does not need to be in a closed system to ferment properly, some brewers open ferment with no problems what so ever.

By all means, get your system to seal, if that is what you want it to do. But as to whether the beer has finished fermenting, use a hydrometer.

Noodles · Post by **Noodles** » Wednesday Jan 03, 2007 8:49 am

the_fuzz wrote:The one I'm currently using is a MSB kit, The lid is extremely tight - so much so, I actually had troubles getting it off last night when trying to fix this problem.

Well...umm...nope, got nothing. I hope you work out your problem. Just keep brewing, i'm sure your beers will keep working out fine. Could be a good reason to get a second carboy too.

the_fuzz · Post by **the_fuzz** » Wednesday Jan 03, 2007 9:20 am

I've got 2 75L fermenters that I haven't had a chance to get going yet - obviously this is a sign.........

120Litre of brewing goodness coming my way......

Thanks Guys

Shaun · Post by **Shaun** » Wednesday Jan 03, 2007 11:05 am

Over-tightening can also distort the o ring and can be as bad as not tightening it enough some brewers use lube like KY on the o ring to help it seal.

Don't be to concerned about the air lock as long as you can see the brew is working all will be fine. Some brewers even get rid of the lid and use glad wrap so they can see whats going on.

SpillsMostOfIt · Wednesday Jan 03, 2007 2:08 pm

... a man walks out of a supermarket carrying a roll of Glad Wrap and a tube of KY Jelly. He claims he is making beer...

buscador · Post by **buscador** » Wednesday Jan 03, 2007 2:11 pm

could you imagine the smile of the check out girl with those 2 products?!
priceless...
that should totally be a commercial for some brew co.

Shaun · Post by **Shaun** » Wednesday Jan 03, 2007 2:26 pm

Get some stockings to use as hop bags at the same time just to top it off

.

Sorry for the hijack could not help it.

lethaldog · Post by **lethaldog** » Wednesday Jan 03, 2007 3:13 pm

Shaun wrote:Over-tightening can also distort the o ring and can be as bad as not tightening it enough some brewers use lube like KY on the o ring to help it seal.

Don't be to concerned about the air lock as long as you can see the brew is working all will be fine. Some brewers even get rid of the lid and use glad wrap so they can see whats going on.

Correct, in fact most of the problems ive ever heard of have resulted from over tightning, not sure about the KY as ive never needed it but it sounds viable

gregb · Post by **gregb** » Wednesday Jan 03, 2007 7:21 pm

lethaldog wrote:... not sure about the KY as ive never needed it but it sounds viable

Skite.

lethaldog · Post by **lethaldog** » Wednesday Jan 03, 2007 8:05 pm

buscador · Post by **buscador** » Thursday Jan 04, 2007 10:57 am

is it better to have a dry o ring in the lid, or is having it a bit damp/wet better foor suction or just the pure lock of it?
b

afromaiko · Post by **afromaiko** » Thursday Jan 04, 2007 11:53 am

I bought some keg lube from Grain & Grape in Melbourne for $7.50 and it's food safe and works great, the brand they have is called 'Lubrifilm'. Just give the o-ring a light smear around before sealing up. Easily washes off in water too.

I have two Cooper's fermenters and they didn't seal well before, but now no trouble and I don't have to screw the lid up so tight - which on a dry o-ring will cause damage over time.

Have a good look at the top lip of the fermenter barrel and you can see where the problem is. Where the two halves have been joined, the weld is a different height to the rest of the lip. On mine it's also angled a bit too so there is a sharp edge that digs into the o-ring if done up too tight.

If you are using a classic bubbler type airlock too, you notice there is a raised bit on each side of the bottom tube. Carefully slice this raised bit off with a sharp knife and you'll get a better seal. You can use the keg lube around the airlock/grommet too.