EXPLOSION!

geebz · Post by **geebz** » Thursday Jul 12, 2007 9:08 am

Well not really not that extreme but it did make for a funny story this morning.

My wife awoke to a large bang/pop coming from the laundry. She went to survey the damage thinking it was an exploding bottle but it was actually the air lock that had been boosted out of the top of the fermenter. So much for coopers fermenters not having a good seal. Gave it a wash and stuck it back in.

Anyone had this happen before ? Would too much water in the airlock be the problem ?

It was a CPA kit + 1kg be2 +300g dex at 16 degreesC and has been 3 days in the fermenter with lots of activity. [/b]

KEG · Post by **KEG** » Thursday Jul 12, 2007 10:02 am

too much water wouldn't do it. krausen chunks making it into the airlock from a vigorous ferment will definitely do it, trust me

geebz · Post by **geebz** » Thursday Jul 12, 2007 10:09 am

That would probably have been the problem. Made for an interesting morning anyway

Chris · Post by **Chris** » Monday Jul 16, 2007 11:12 am

And bits of hops too. They like to clog up airlocks.

corks · Post by **corks** » Monday Jul 16, 2007 5:37 pm

go the glad wrap. ah yeah...

ok, i mainly use it cos im lazy.

pixelboy · Post by **pixelboy** » Monday Jul 16, 2007 10:07 pm

How do you get such a violent ferment?

Ive done over 30 batches and never looked like bubbling over? Almost always used Coopers or Saf' yeasts.

Did you use liquid yeast?

KEG · Post by **KEG** » Tuesday Jul 17, 2007 8:25 am

i got a very violent one when i pitched onto a Wyeast 3944 yeast cake... that was almost a tragedy

Chris · Post by **Chris** » Tuesday Jul 17, 2007 9:53 am

My best was an Wyeast Irish yeast. Went absolutely nuts. Got around the gladwrap!

r.magnay · Post by **r.magnay** » Wednesday Jul 18, 2007 6:25 am

dark beers are mainly prone to it, if you want to see it for yourself, try a can of Coopers stout, a can of Coopers Dark ale, 500gm LMD, both yeasts, to 23L at around 20* Pretty bloody good drinking too!

drsmurto · Post by **drsmurto** » Wednesday Oct 17, 2007 3:47 pm

tried fermenting 32L of Alt in a coopers fermenter....... liquid level was 2 inches from the lid so i am guessing they can hold 35L. Krausened straight thru the airlock - twice, ended up going the gladwrap.

warra48 · Post by **warra48** » Wednesday Oct 17, 2007 5:05 pm

Happened to me with a stout that was pitched onto the yeast cake from a porter. Took off overnight like nuts, and by morning was out of the airlock and all over the top of the fermenter and down the sides. Just cleaned everything as best I could and let it get on with the job.
Still drinking that one 7 months later, beautiful drink. Variously tastes like chocolate, coffee, fruit cake etc. A sipper, not a session beer.