Blowoff tube question

Northern Brewer General
1

Mates:
My hefeweizen went crazy in the primary fermentation and had to insert a blowoff tube submerged in a pan of sanitized water. After a couple days, replaced the nasty water with newly sanitized water in the pan, and now (1 week post-boil) things are calmed down. Should I switch back to a sanitized airlock or just leave things be until the krausen falls? (BTW it has not fallen one bit yet…)

I plan to bottle after 2 weeks in the primary assuming a good hydrometer reading. Thanks to all who respond to this newbie.

2

I have only had one blow off and I switched to the tube and as soon as I knew it wasn’t going to continue blowing krausen out the top I went back to the airlock. It is up to you, and some might tell you different, but I like to keep the airlock on as much as possible.

3

It’s a personal preference and whatever helps you sleep at night. My blow off tube is 4 feet long and stays submerged and I have had no problem.

Do whatever makes you think about the beer less and you will be happy.

4

A guy in my club makes a KILLER hefe (and I normally don’t dig the style), but he swears by the key to it being MINIMIZING blowoff. I believe he says he splits his ferment into two vessels to get extra headspace. Food for thought on your next one…and as with all my posts, it could be complete BS. :cheers:

5

The longer it sits, the harder it is to clean. You can leave a blowoff tube in for the duration.
It is also an airlock. :cheers:

6

Like mrv said, a blow off tube is an air lock.

3 piece, S shape, or tubing into a tub of water. All “air locks”.

7

I’ve had serious blow off both times I’ve brewed NB Hefe. This has occurred even with good temp control. So, I am at the point where I will always use a blowoff tube on this beer.
Chet

8

[quote=“chetgregg”]I’ve had serious blow off both times I’ve brewed NB Hefe. This has occurred even with good temp control. So, I am at the point where I will always use a blowoff tube on this beer.
Chet[/quote]

I set a blowoff hose on all my beers at the start of fermentation. As the initial fermentation slows down I usually switch to an airlock. I left the blow off hose in for the full 3 weeks once. The beer turned out fine. it’s a big 2 piece airlock (hose & bucket of starsan). The only down side I see is the end of the hose that sits in the star san is kind of slimy and gross but nothing a soak in PBW won’t cure.