HELP! Wort foaming out valve, can I syphone to bigger container?

[84runner]

I'm exactly 36 hours into the fermentation process and I've now realized that even though I was told to use the 5 gallon glass bottle for primary, I've realized why the other glass bottle is bigger!

>see pic below :(

So since it's coming through the valve, I can only guess that the fermentation process hasn't hit it's peak yet, so it will only get worse.

Sooo, can I switch to my bigger container at this point or will that add water and interupt the process?

Also since Im only about 36 hours into it should I also syphone all the crap that is most likely on the bottom or leave it? Im thinking it may still have work to do for the fermentation in the new container?

Cheers,
Jeff

[BrewDog]

That is a blowoff. You can simply attach a blowoff tube like the one on the right in this pic (http://www.howtobrew.com/section1/chapter9.html)

Yes, you are right, you should have used the bigger fermenter.

If you Don't have a big enough tube (I didn't the first time I had a blowoff), you can try to connect your siphon hose to your 3 piece airlock:

1) first, take the airlock off and clean and sanitize it and the stopper.
2) take your siphon tube and sani it, too.
3) put the airlock back into the stopper but don't put the cap or the cover back on.
4) connect the siphon tube to the little tube that sticks up in the airlock where the cover would normally go.
5) attach this back onto your carboy and put the other end of the siphon hose in a bucket of water.
6) this may work for a while, but the small diameter hose can get easily clogged. It will buy you some time until you can get the bigger hose like in the diagram.

HTH-

[DecoJuicer]

Jeff,

Take a deep breath. Now take a drink. It's going to be ok. You are just having a really vigorous fermentation. It has happened to me twice and neither beer turned out worse for wear. It looks like you put the carboy into your shower. That's good, it will save you some clean up later. I wouldn't worry about losing to much beer, you are just losing foam now. The fermentaion will probably slow down in a day or so(if that). When it is done fermenting then rack it over to secondary. I wouldn't mess with it before then.

When my first one came spilling out of the airlock it was sitting on carpet. I thought that my wife might actually stab me right then and there. She didn't and I just rigged up something to put under it until it stopped blowing out.

[SoxyinMO]

Just be careful when you take off that airlock, because she's going to blow!

Luckily Krausen washes out of hair, off walls and even out from under eyelids :rolleyes:

[84runner]

Cool thanks guys. Good so I will try the blowoff tube, (luckily Im off work today!). And I don't think it will blow when I pull the valve off because it is still activly bubbling out the valve, it's just completely filled with foam. And it is just now starting to come out the top and down the side of the jug!

Cheers,
Jeff

[fretlessman71]

All will be well, 84. Like your sig, by the way - my favorite Woody/Norm exchange goes: "Whaddya say to a beer, Mr. Peterson?" "'Going Down?'" ;)

[84runner]

Yeah, good ole' Normies got a million of em! There's copies of this exact page all over the net, but here is a nice collection of Norm quotes;

http://www2.gvsu.edu/~phillipp/norm.html

[eyepah]

Just because Soxy said:

Luckily Krausen washes out of hair, off walls and even out from under eyelids. Just be careful when you take off that airlock, because she's going to blow!

Its time to re post the protocol:

Maybe there should be a support group for all of us who have had that heart-pounding expirience. For me, there is a protocol to follow for an un expected blow-off. It goes like this:

1. No matter what the circumstance, secure the fermentor.

Some inate fight-or-flight reaction takes over to prvent infection, which is unlikely due to the ammount of gas and live solid discharge emmitting from the fermentor. Damaged carpet, furniture, or plaster coating (or drywall) as well as residual yeasty odor seems to be collaterol damage and not of concern until the beer is properly locked down with a sanitized blow-off hose.

2. Initiate clean-up phase.

Warm, soapy water is employed to remove dried blow-off from surfaces. The encrusted dried solid material caked on non-porous surfaces (i.e. glass, ceramic tile, sheet flooring, or porcilin) is re-hydrated and then removed with briskly atriculated scraping strokes with an abrasive pad. Porous surfaces are (yes) blotted or dabbed until the stain is abjucated or diminished - not wiped. A window may be opened to vent yeasty odors.

3. Recover living space integrity.

Wall surfaces are sanded, skim coated, and wet sanded. Follow up steps include primeing and pigmenting for return to original luster.

4. Reflection.

After one has demonstrated facility with the above protocol, one must ask "Why the hell did this happen?"

Several reasons may explain the blow-off phenomenon. First, I have read that excessive hot and cold break in the fermentor may cause blow-off. Even use of wheat malt as little as 10% of the grist may contribute to the problem. Avoid extra protein material from entering the fermentor with a siphon, filter, whirlpool, or irish moss.

Second, the positioning of the fermetor may indicate poor planning. Leaving a primed fermentor near or on expensive carpet, funiture, drapes, and other very diffucult to clean items is probably a bad idea. Also, consider a closets housing clothing a dangerous place for potentially explosive fermentations as the clothing may be damaged or destroyed and an over all problem in terms of claustrophobia when addressing the above protocol.

Third and finnally, perhaps brewing high gravity beers should be done more carefully. In other words, anticipate blow-off. Avoid brewing +.080 on Monday evening whereas you may not be around to check the progress due to issues such as haveing a job.

Keep in mind that light yoga, journaling, and an aroma bath will not help this situation. It needs to be addressed before it becomes a problem.

5. Final notes.

Have a hose sanitized and queued for deployment. At least, have a spray bottle of sanitizer available for unexpected events. Arrange for a friend or neighbor to stop by and check on the state of affairs. Some techinically gifted individuals may run digital video feed of the fermentor to their work station via the internet.

6. Marital Damage Control.

The situation may arise that a spouse (or co-habitant) may raise questions concering the property damage or new paint smells. This is an opportunity to work on relationship-building skills for both parties. Be prepares to validate feelings and communicate with a win-win strategy. Remember, your next batch may be brewed outdoors in the winter if you are not careful here. How you handle the protocol may save your relationship and your hobby!

Thats all I have.

Good night, good luck, and for Gods Sake take me only as seriously as I deserve

[gone_fishing]

"Out from under eyelids" Not a pleasant thought there,Soxy!

[Mad Scientist]

Originally posted by SoxyinMO
Luckily Krausen washes out of hair, off walls and even out from under eyelids :rolleyes:

I never get that close to a spewing carboy.

[chapesh]

i had one completely clog and it blew the air lock right off, also covered the ceiling and surrounding carpet and walls with foam, that was scary!amazing to think of the pressures built up!luckily the beer turned out fine though,the fiance was mortified though,from that though i got to build my brewery in the basement,hahaha what luck! i also now use a blow off tube for primary,especially for any wheat beer.

[jdubbmancandy]

Originally posted by chapesh
i had one completely clog and it blew the air lock right off, also covered the ceiling and surrounding carpet and walls with foam, that was scary!amazing to think of the pressures built up!luckily the beer turned out fine though,the fiance was mortified though,from that though i got to build my brewery in the basement,hahaha what luck! i also now use a blow off tube for primary,especially for any wheat beer.
yeah i learned my lesson with a heff

[SoxyinMO]

Originally posted by gone_fishing
"Out from under eyelids" Not a pleasant thought there,Soxy!

That happened to poor Al when he didn't believe me when I told him that the whole shebang was EXPLOSIVE ...He leaned over, shifted the bung and POW!


I never get that close to a spewing carboy

It was my first experience with it, Boerne Brew! Trust me I learned my lesson!