Brewing Master

Question:

My brew kit came with a primary fermenter that has a lid that fits snug …but there is no Airlock hole in this lid… Some of the wine kits I have purchased tells you to install an airlock after starting the kit in the primary fermenter…how important is it to have this airlock in my primary..??? Thanks

Response:

how important is it to have this airlock in my primary..??? Thanks

Not at all, provided the lid does not "seal" the container. vince norris

Response:

 My brew kit came with a primary fermenter that has a lid that fits snug but there is no Airlock hole in this lid. Cut a hole in the lid with a hacksaw to fit a bung that fits an airlock. Guy

Response:

My brew kit came with a primary fermenter that has a lid that fits snug …but there is no Airlock hole in this lid… Some of the wine kits I have purchased tells you to install an airlock after starting the kit in the primary fermenter…how important is it to have this airlock in my primary..???

You don’t need an airlock on the primary at all.  You need to keep it covered to keep out bugs.  Just before the fermentation dies out, you need to rack it to a carboy and _then_ put it under airlock.  At this point it should still be gassing, but not very vigorously.  The last gas(p) should drive whatever air is in the headspace out and protect the wine until it stops, you sulfite it and top it up. Tom S

Response:

No, no, no! no need for an airlock on the primary. the lid will fit snugly enough to keep out the cats, kids, flies etc. etc. The air lock goes on the secondary fermenter.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –  My brew kit came with a primary fermenter that has a lid that fits snug but there is no Airlock hole in this lid. Cut a hole in the lid with a hacksaw to fit a bung that fits an airlock. Guy

Response:

No, no, no! no need for an airlock on the primary. the lid will fit

snugly enough to keep out the cats, kids, flies etc. etc. The air lock goes on the secondary fermenter. It really depends on how the fermenter is consructed. Some don’t use

an airlock and rely on a poor seal to let air out and keep bugs in. During the beginning, when lots of CO2 is produced, the loose seal is not a problem. Some fermenters are made to fit so tight that you’d have foam on

your ceiling when the lid popped off. I had an airlock clog off while I was fermenting an imperial stout beer and it did just that. It still won an award in the regional homebrew competition. Your fermenter, if it didn’t come with an airlock hole in the lid,

is probably made with a loose seal. It’s OK for the first few days or perhaps even a week of fermenting. Just don’t use it after fermentation activity falls off. Whether your primary fermenter is airtight or not, you can’t go wrong by cutting a hole in the lid with a hacksaw to fit a bung that fits an airlock.  The lid more than likely shows where to cut the hole. Guy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

Thank you all….I took Guy`s advise and drilled 2 neat 1" holes in my 2 Spagnols primaries…and fitted them with Airlocks…. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Whether your primary fermenter is airtight or not, you can’t go wrong by cutting a hole in the lid with a hacksaw to fit a bung that fits an airlock.  The lid more than likely shows where to cut the hole. True. I prefer airlocks myself, and a tight-fitting lid. Don

Response:

I drilled 2 neat 1" holes in my 2 Spagnols primaries…and fitted

them with Airlocks. One hole was sufficient! Well, next time. Guy

Response:

I drilled 2 neat 1" holes in my 2 Spagnols primaries…and fitted them with Airlocks. One hole was sufficient! Well, next time.

Sorry, forgot you had