After reading a post on using a 3 piece airlock to attach a blow off tube I decided I give it a shot. When I was at the hardware store I connect the airlock to a 5/8" OD x 1/2" vinyl tube and it was a snug fit. I couldn’t get it off in the store so I bought it. I tried to get it off at home running it under hot water with no luck pulling it off so I cut the tubing off of the airlock.
I tried attaching it again after running it under hot water. I let it sit about a minute and couldn’t pull it off. I tried running the contraption under hot water, still couldn’t get it off. Any suggestions? Can I attach it and leave it? Also, I scratched the outside of the tube that the gases come out inside the airlock when cutting off the vinyl tube, can I still use this airlock since I did crack or am I risking infection if the wort comes in contact with it during a blow off?
I had the same problem when I made one for my hefe… I actually was afraid to use the tubing again as it had crudded everything up inside the tube… I guess I should have tried to soak the tubing but I just cut it off the 3 pc and threw it out ha…
If your three piece airlock has a “sectioned” nose for insertion into the bung, you might want to open that up to allow a freer flow, as well - it keeps the crud from clogging as easily.
Skip the blowoff tube and pick up a bottle of Fermcap. Totally eliminates blowoff issues as well as boil-overs too, and does not impact the finished beer in any way I can tell. :cheers: