Airlocks

[Panda]

I can never decide where to put my threads, sorry if this one has to be moved like the others :shifty:
I thought a thread with a picture or 2 of everyone's home made Airlocks would be a handy Go-To reference for newbies wanting to make something and looking for some inspiration.

Mine is a 3/4 inch tank boss and some threaded pipes & elbows, All found in the irrigation section of bunnings. And a tomato paste jar.
Put it all together with thread tape and Drill a hole in lid and screw in the boss. All done.

[dogbreath vodka]

Don't use airlocks anymore.
Have a 50ltr keg with the top cut out and just put a towel over the top to keep the insects out.

When I used airlocks got the bug to build things and decided to see if I could make an all enclosed copper airlock.


Too difficult to make more than one.....
So then decided to simplify the whole thing and made this one that relys on water to keep the bugs out.

Worked well pity I don't use them anymore. :roll:



Cheers
DBV

[Kal]

Shiny copper airlocks.... OK now you are just showing off! :laughing-rolling: :laughing-rolling:

[audistiller]

Since this is a thread about airlocks, I thought I would mention I found some information somewhere that suggests using Glycerine instead of water as it doesn't evaporate.

[cdbrown]

Or why not some unoaked/unflavoured spirit from a previous batch. You want something in the airlock that's not going to be bad for the wash if for some reason it get's sucked back into the fermenter (and it can happen).

[grumpthehermit]

I don't think that you would want high ABV inside your airlock.

High ABV will evaporate faster than water in your airlock and if like you say the pressure changed and sucked back from your airlock into your wash you would be potentially be drawing in high ABV that been soaking in the plastic airlock.

Plastic saturated high ABV is not what you want in your wash.

I always just use boiled water in mine and then just top them up with more after the ferment has almost stopped.

Cheers
GTH

[Cane Toad]

Airlocks are there for keeping the shit out,all the stuff that can turn a good wash into foul smelling crap,and to let the CO2 get out,leave a wash for 2 months with no water in the airlock for a couple of days,after the ferment has finished of course,it fuckin stinks :angry-banghead: been there,done that :doh: :doh:
Check airlocks everyday fellas and top up as needed :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[Sam.]

:laughing-rolling: Fuck the airlock.... :laughing-rolling:
Heaps pissed f :teasing-tease:

[bt1]

Yep,

same here don't use airlocks whiles they are actively fermenting...but put a bung in when it done to seal them off.

[adama]

I've been using a homemade jigger for a while - clingwrap is pretty good.

[kiwikeg]

it costed nothing to make. should not run dry and the mesh should keep the fruit flys out even if it does run itself dry.

IMAG0427.jpg

[Linno]

this is on a 180ltr with UJSM on board

[Aussiedownunder01]

Air lock mine must at some time shot a bit of wash up the wall went in today bloody thousands of ants on the wall near the air lock

[kiwikeg]

it costed nothing to make. should not run dry and the mesh should keep the fruit flys out even if it does run itself dry.

IMAG0427.jpg

Found a problem with this design once fermented out with the hot days cold nights its syphoning itself dry with the temp changes any ideas?

[Kimbo]

Just use a silicone tube into a jar/bottle of water :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[kiwikeg]

Just use a silicone tube into a jar/bottle of water :handgestures-thumbupleft:

I am :handgestures-thumbupleft: see post a few above - The trouble is with the 28c days and 4c nights we been having the barrell is sucking the jar dry as it cools down at night.

IMAG0427.jpg

I am thinking of a double jar setup that would break the syphon just not figured how to do it yet. bugs cant get in due to the mesh

[Kimbo]

Have you tried a longer hose mate?

[bt1]

Bugga if your hose is too short..you end up pissing on your feet

water has weight it will break syphon effect if long enough

bt1