Airlock: vodka, water, or

Question

Airlock: vodka, water, or

Kevin Versfeld

2020年2月23日 23:13

I've just started making my first brew, and am using vodka in the airlock, but am hoping for some more detailed info about what is best practice, or if there is not really any difference between using water, vodka, or other things I haven't thought or heard of...
Also, does the quality of the vodka count? (As in, cheap vodka has a, er, particular taste - if that ends up in the fermenter, how much will it affect the brew taste?)

Topic airlock homebrew

Category Mac

user17956 · Accepted Answer · 2020年2月23日 23:13

I read on the Five Star Starsan site that it is only good for an hour. The best malt shop in Quebec recommands metabisulfite in your airlock. They also explain why your starsan can be cloudy but doesn’t seem to have an impact

Ken Dere · Accepted Answer · 2019年5月7日 14:39

1

Ken Dere answered at 2019年5月7日 14:39

water works just fine for me for over 150 5 gal brews

mlaramie · Accepted Answer · 2015年7月1日 16:50

I use StarSan. My water's a bit hard, so my StarSan turns cloudy fairly quickly if I use tap water to make it. I make a small batch of StarSan using a gallon jug of distilled water, as mentioned by other posters, for long-term storage (spray bottles, filling airlocks)

Todd O'Boyle · Accepted Answer · 2013年4月20日 20:21

1

Todd O'Boyle answered at 2013年4月20日 20:21

I use sanitizer in the primary and vodka in the secondary because I've never gotten an answer I trust regarding how long sanitizer is good for. I do know vodka kills bugs indefinitely. It's worked for me thus far.

Jared Meyering · Accepted Answer · 2013年4月9日 14:12

I personally use the starsan sanitizer that's left over from brewing that day, However, its just an extra precaution to kill anything that MAY get in the airlock. Vodka is the same principal, but relying on alcohol to do the killing.

That being said, cheap vs expensive vodka doesn't matter in regards to airlocking.

If it gets pulled into your brew there would most likely be no discernible change in flavor being as its such a small amount of liquid anyhow.

mdma · Accepted Answer · 2013年4月8日 20:37

You can use water, vodka or starsan.

The purpose of the liquid in the airlock is to prevent gas transfer into the carboy, keeping out floating contaminants, like bacteria and wild yeast, and to also provide a deterrent for bugs like fruit flies.

If you don't overfill the airlock, then there is no chance of suckback. But if you want to be cautious, then using vodka or starsan will ensure nothing contaminated enters the beer if the liquid is sucked back into the carboy.

Airlock: vodka, water, or

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