3 Piece vs. S-Bubble Airlocks

by **miguelito** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 9:37 pm

Okay, I made some fermentation changes based on some good info provided here in the Brewers Roundtable forum. First, I now have better fermentation temperature with my converted cube cooler. Second, I am doing my primary in a 6.5 glass carboy instead of a plastic bucket.

I am even using a 3 piece airlock instead of my S-bubble type. However, I have noticed that the bubbling is not as intense and frequent as when I used the S-bubble. It is putting along though.

Could it be that this packet of liquid yeast is not working as well? The recipe did call for a starter, but I didn't think it was all that necessary with a 5% abv (O.G. 1.056, target F.G. 1.015).

Do I recall reading somewhere that fermenting slows a little as temps drop?

Or maybe it is the diameter of the airlock tube being bigger and less pressure/less bubbling being produced?

And what about the possibility of more head room in the 6.5 gal carboy versus the bucket (less pressure too)?

Would it be a good idea to test my final gravity before bottling?

Or maybe I should just relax a little bit? :roll:

by **Wild** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 10:13 am

miguelito wrote:Okay, I made some fermentation changes based on some good info provided here in the Brewers Roundtable forum. First, I now have better fermentation temperature with my converted cube cooler. Second, I am doing my primary in a 6.5 glass carboy instead of a plastic bucket.

I am even using a 3 piece airlock instead of my S-bubble type. However, I have noticed that the bubbling is not as intense and frequent as when I used the S-bubble. It is putting along though.

Could it be that this packet of liquid yeast is not working as well? The recipe did call for a starter, but I didn't think it was all that necessary with a 5% abv (O.G. 1.056, target F.G. 1.015).

Not all yeast perform the same. But if you are using the same strain as before but it isn't performing the same then it could be:
Age of yeast.
Temperature pitched.
Temp during fermentation.

miguelito wrote:Do I recall reading somewhere that fermenting slows a little as temps drop?

Yes.

miguelito wrote:Or maybe it is the diameter of the airlock tube being bigger and less pressure/less bubbling being produced?

I don't believe the airlock diameter will reduce the mount of gas released. Note: The 3-piece airlock has a small cross guard at it's bottom and has been known to clog from kräusen. You may consider drilling through it.

miguelito wrote:And what about the possibility of more head room in the 6.5 gal carboy versus the bucket (less pressure too)?

The head room in volume between a 6.5 gallon carboy and a 6.5 gallon bucket is the same.

miguelito wrote:Would it be a good idea to test my final gravity before bottling?

Always.

miguelito wrote:Or maybe I should just relax a little bit?[/b]

Always.

by **GuitarLord5000** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 11:14 pm

miguelito wrote:
Could it be that this packet of liquid yeast is not working as well?

Probably not.

miguelito wrote:Do I recall reading somewhere that fermenting slows a little as temps drop?

Yep.

miguelito wrote:Or maybe it is the diameter of the airlock tube being bigger and less pressure/less bubbling being produced?

The amount of pressure won't be different, but I find the 3 piece airlock creates larger bubbles, which equates to less frequent bubbling.

miguelito wrote:Or maybe I should just relax a little bit?

Nailed it!

by **miguelito** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 12:09 am

You guys rock!

by **jeepguy** » Fri Aug 14, 2009 4:10 am

If you do not want to do a starter use dry yeast. It has more yeasties than the liquid.
Hydromer use is always good practice.
Good luck.

3 Piece vs. S-Bubble Airlocks

3 Piece vs. S-Bubble Airlocks

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