Seems like a few lager posts recently, so I’ll keep it going…
Gonna brew a helles in a couple weeks, and I need to make sure I have my process set up right. I decided to bust out my old lagerator (aka old college dorm fridge that I janked up and never used) and give it a whirl. My main problem is that due to the step in the fridge where the compressor is, I have a limited height at which to stick a 6G carboy. The carboy is a bit too tall sitting on the step with an airlock, however I found that a blowoff tube could be inserted and bent over to allow the carboy to fit in the fridge. When the blowoff tube is bent over, there is an obvious crimp in the tube and the space for C02 to escape is very tight. The tube is large enough to plug the carboy neck on its own.
Not having much experience with lagers and blow off tubes, I’m not sure if having such a small amount of space presents any problems. I’m pretty sure there is at least SOME room for CO2 to escape, but certainly not enough space if there is an active fermentation and yeasties clog it up. Are lager ferments fairly calm given the low temp? Anything I need to worry about?
Also open to other suggestions for a short airlock, but this seems to be the best idea I could come up with.
Thanks!
