Blowoff house vs fermentation lock

[supe kitchen]

So I have been using a fermentation lock and things have been going well, and then I have a snafu that got me thinking. I mixed up a Dunkelwizen and put it in the primary (5 gal bucket), secured the lid, and put in the fermentation lock. When I checked on it a few days later, I found that the little plastic parabolic looking piece that sits over the tube that comes straight up was no longer on it. Also, the fermentation lock was full of the beer and that some had spilled onto the lid of the bucket. After cleaning everything up, without removing the lid, I put the fermentation lock back in and just figure that I will keep a close eye on it till I rack it. So I am thinking that I will fix this problem by using a blow off hose next time, and I am wondering if:

a.)that will prevent this from happening again
b.)would it just be better to use a blow off hose on the primary every time
c.)what do other home brewers do in this situation

I also am hoping that my beer is too effed up because of this, most of what was on the lid was still wet, so I am hoping that it wasn't off for too long.
I appreciate any input anyone has.

[Mill Rat]

If you're generating enough gas to blow the fermentation lock, you've little to worry about from contamination as long as you still had some bubbling after you replaced the lock. A blowoff hose is a better option on primary fermentation. I suppose the blowoff house might be need for a really big batch. IF you have to use a blowoff hose, you may also be running into problems with temperature control issues, so check that too. And finally, yes, you've done what most other homebrewers have done in the same situation.

[corkybstewart]

I use a blowoff on almost every batch when it's in primary, just because I've had a couple of major cleanups in the past. As Mr. Rat says temperature is one of the main reasons primary fermentation gets out of control. But almost anything with substantial amounts of wheat can go ballistic on you also.
And as for whether your beer is still good the best wit I ever brewed blew the airlocks off before blowing both bucket lids across the room. I think the fermenters may have been completely open for at least a day before I found them but the beer turned out excellent.

[supe kitchen]

I am still getting bubbles so hopefully the batch will be fine. Thanks for the input

[Otis_The_Drunk]

I always use a blowoff hose (not a House like in the title of this thread) in primary fermentation on any beer that has a OG of 1.050 or higher as a rule of thumb.
I get real tired of green celings.

Also as a rule of thumb: Relax, Don't Worry, Have a Homebrew...... Nothing makes a batch of beer not live up to expectations like worrying.

[supe kitchen]

I think I am just going to use a blow off hose (house:) ) from now on for all primary fermentation. I just don't know if there is any drawback to doing this, aside from the fact that it is not as easy to transport the bucket.

[Mikegobrew]

I start with an airlock and then move to the blowoff if I need it. I don't really like to have a bucket of water going bad in my basement so I avoid the blowoff tube if I can. I usually keep a pretty good eye on my ferments, like a kid at Christmas always checking under the tree for a new present! :D

And your beer will be awesome. I've left an open carboy go with no airlock for days while it blows. (Before I got ahold of a blowoff tube). I always put my fermenters in bustubs if they're not in a cooler to be safe of the carpets and such.

[corkybstewart]

I use a little bleach or starsan in my bucket.
I always start with a blowoff hose, then I may or may not replace it with an airlock once activity slows way down. But that's what happened on my wit that blew the tops. After 5 days fermentation had slowed way down and I needed the blowoff hoses for my next batch so I put the airlocks on and somehow fermentation went wild again. Now I just leave the blowoff hoses on until the beer is finished.

[nelstrodomus]

If you use a blowoff tube, just make sure you watch it a little bit for the first 24 hours or so. If you have little yeast activity at first, the cooling of the wort could bring in water (or whatever solution) from the bucket into the fermenter. I've only seen it come up about half way up the blow off tube but that was enough for me to pop it open and reseal.

Good luck, welcome to the forum, and I believe that you will have yourself one fine brew.

[texasliam]

I think I am just going to use a blow off hose (house:) ) from now on for all primary fermentation. I just don't know if there is any drawback to doing this, aside from the fact that it is not as easy to transport the bucket.

No problem. If your moving the carboy for racking to a secondary, just exchange the blow off tube for an airlock. You are going to need the airlock anyways to seal the secondary.

[chapesh]

ha! i had to clean my dining room once because of this! my wife was not impressed. lol at first i thought the cat got mad at it cause of the lock bubbling, then when i noticed the foam on the ceiling i realized my error. i definitely use a blowoff hose on wheats, or anything with a significant amount of wheat in it. they tend to go berserk, but really any beer and yeast can do it. just gotta keep an eye on it and the temp of fermentation. the beer was fine by the way, as i am sure yours will be.welcome to the wonderful world of constantly being suprised by something you thought you already knew.

[supe kitchen]

Racked the beer on Friday, had a sip and it is tasting like it should be pretty good. The future Father-in-law actually got me my first corny keg for Christmas, I think I am am going to have to put this Dunkelwizen in the keg and bring it out to his place when it is done.

[texasliam]

You are going to need more fathers in law.