What the hell happened?

[Asahikun]

Pitched at 10am. Came home at 5 and bubbling nicely. By 7 there was a healthy amount going into the overflow. Came home at 11 and nothing. 12 - nothing. 1 - nothing. 2 - nothing. Watched for minutes and minutes and still nothing. Before going to bed decided that active fermentation must have been really really fast and sanitized airlock. Removed overflow and had a peek under the lid. Lots of krausen. Replaced lid and there was gushing. Oh, s**t, better put the overflow back on. Did that. Now it's spewing insane amounts.
Was it just blocked? Did I do something wrong? Did I give it an oxygen kick which jump-started it? To say it again: What the hell happened?

(sorry about the truncated writing)

[Asahikun]

Sorry for the alarmed post. I think I've worked it out myself. Basically, the pressure was great enough to push up the lid on my plastic fermenter so that nothing was going through the tube.

[Asahikun]

After that little episode, it kept happening again. Nothing would be happening, I would firmly close the lid and all hell broke loose. I finally had to go to bed and when I got up, the lid was loose again and not much had made it into the jar.
This gives little meaning to the overflow and it means the lid isn't on securely. Any tricks for securing the lid on a plastic fermenter? I was thinking of some very strong clamps - if I can find them. How serious is the problem of the lid coming loose and, therefore, not being sealed anymore? The outward pressure is strong which helps, but is this a problem?
Thanks.

[quantum24]

yeah it sounds like you have got a bad lid, you could get another bucket (less than $10) if you donjt want to hassel with the one you have now. as far as the lid comming loose, it is probably not a huge problem, as long as you have an active fermentation lots of co2 will be escaping and should prevent any bacteria from entering. however, as fermentation slows this could become a problem (although as ferm. slows less pressure builds and it is less likely that the lid will pop) hope this helps

[paul84043]

If you're to the point that you need an overflow tube, then I wouldn't even worry about anything getting INTO your fermenter, the real value to a blowoff is to contain the mess, and to seal off the return path when the heavy ferment is over. Just keep an eye on it, the high kreusen usually only lasts a day or so. Maybe put something heavy on the lid if it makes you feel better.
Plastic buckets are infamous for leaking, even during regular fermentation. Carboys are far superior, plus it's cool to watch everything going crazy inside...
Don't worry too much, as soon as your yeast has begun to create alcohol, the vulnerability of your beer goes down significantly. Not to say that you can't still infect it, just that it's not as easy at that point.

I have an Arrogant Bastard clone that blew the airlock off overnight, I don't know why I didn't just put a blowoff on it in the first place...
Good thing it was in the basement..

[Asahikun]

Thanks for the replies. The lid fits fine now the really active period has passed. I did actually try to put a case of beer on top but decided against it in the end.
I'd love to get a carboy but I live in Japan where homebrewing is very new and not at all common. Maybe I could get one by mail order - bit risky perhaps, though.

[JBOE]

Asahikun,

You could try http://www.morebeer.com for a carboy. I know they ship stuff over seas and I'm sure they would take extra care in packing it. I've always had good dealings with them.

JBOE

[Asahikun]

Thanks a lot JBOE. I'll check it out.