Airlock?

[dennisthetiger]

I'm about to have a go at making my first batch of mead, but I lack a good airlock. Any recommendations? Where can I go to get one? Should I just make my own?

Note that the fermentation vessel is a five gallon polycarbonate water bottle made by J J Plastics - you know, the type that sits atop a water cooler, has a handle on the side, and oddly has a screw top (oppose the regular "snap top" bottles that most water delivery companies use).

[fretlessman71]

Get a cheapie and sanitize it - they work fine. Can't cost you more than $1.50 for the airlock, and maybe another $2 for the bung w/hole (no, I'm not trying to be rude ;) ). Better safe than sorry.

If you think you're going to have a violent fermentation, then take said bung, get some tubing and a jar with sanitizer - voila! - instant airlock/blowoff tube.

And the next time someone tells you to ram it up your bunghole, say, "How did you know I'm a homebrewer?"

[corkybstewart]

You should think about a glass carboy for your mead. My last mead fermented for 6 or 7 months, and I wouldn't wasnt to leave anything that long in plastic. It may not be a problem, it might just be personal preference, but for long fermentations glass is better.

[Kyle_Draven]

As to where you can get a airlock just go to your local shop they should have plenty.
You should think about a glass carboy for your mead

I would agree a normal water bottle is somewhat oxygen permeable so after a while you will start getting oxygen in your mead which will not taste good.

[HogieWan]

yep - a glass vessel can't set you back more than $20.

[quantum24]

I'd have to agree with others as far as getting a different fermenter, i have no problem using plastic (i use the 5 gal buckets all the time for primary), but i have never heard anything good about using those water cooler bottles (the plastic is so thin). Consider a plastic bucket (they are only a couple bucks), or for a little more, and probably better for mead making, a glass carboy. either way...good luck

[Bilbo Beergins]

I took tygon tubing and put it through the plastic top of the carboy w/ a little goop to hold it in place. Pop it onto the top of the carboy, into a mason jar of water and there you go. The goop well cured and has not imparted any flavor or smell, and I only gooped the outside of the cap, which I cut to be airtight against the tygon anyway.

[Kyle_Draven]

Even the plastic buckets will let in air given enough time. Granted it would take longer than a regular water cooler bottle. You could also look into the "Better Bottles" that people are selling. They are supposed to be made out of a better plastic that will not let the air through. I have seen them for a few bucks less then a glass carboy of equal size.

[corkybstewart]

for long (slow) fermentations glass or stainless steel is the only way to go. I use plastic fermenters for normal beer production, but something that I think will take more than 3 weeks I'll put in my glass fermenters.
Airlocks are very cheap-$1.59-$2.50. I've seen copper and glass ones on Ebay for $10-15, but that's outrageous. I always start with a blow-off tube. 3/8 OD stainless steel tubing with 3/8 ID tygon into a bottle of Clorox water. If the fermentation goes wild you're covered. If it is slow or normal you're still in good shape. I've had fermenter lids blow off on the first day so I always start with the blow-off tubes. After it slows down, I'll replace the tubes with airlocks so it's easier to "time" the bubbling.