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Airlock sucking in

Hello peeps

I started a batch of alcoholic water the other day (1kg sugar, water & yeast (Yes I could put some lemon juice in it so it has citric acid, but I've found it does well enough on its own)). I pitched the yeast before I went to bed, it was a cooler night than it has been recently so it didn't surprise me that in the morning it hadn't started fermenting.

What did surprise me, is that the airlock had just started to pull air into the demijohn. The water in the airlock was actually being pulled into the demijohn instead of expelling gas like it should. I left the airlock out for a few minutes (I figured that if the yeast wants air, its wise to let it have what it wants). I put the airlock back in and went for a shower. When I got back it had started fermenting normally.

Anybody else have this happen? Any ideas what caused it? The lovely assistant at my local homebrew store was as surprised as I was at this.

Reply to
Paul Smith
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My guess would be it has little to do with the fermentation and more to do with the change in temperature. Since you mentioned it was a cool night, I'll bet your must cooled, contracted, and tried to pull air into the carboy. Venting it sounds like the right thing to do. Bryan

"Paul Smith" wrote in message news:0KCmg.70198$ snipped-for-privacy@newsfe4-gui.ntli.net...

Reply to
Bryan M. Everitt

we've noticed that changes in temp as well as weather (atmospheric/barometric) changes have appeared to cause changes with carboys & airlocks. since none of our group is a scientist, we chalk it up to evil spirits and /or bad ju-ju. we have a shaman on speed dial... cereally, though, we do what you probably did: clean, re-sanitize, & refill the airlock, & clean up any attendent mess. we usually get overflow/ backfire. we renew our vigilance: if one is bewitched, then watch for similar activity in other storage units. take preventive steps. HTH regards, bobdrob

"Paul Smith" wrote in message news:0KCmg.70198$ snipped-for-privacy@newsfe4-gui.ntli.net...

Reply to
bobdrob

Yes, this has happened to me last week, when it cooled down and the barometer changed. My blueberry wine was all up in the airlock. Mess. i cleaned up and found I had lost a couple ounces. (dang).

I don't have an answer, but wanted you to know it was the temperature and barometer that did it to me.

DAve

Paul Smith wrote:

Reply to
Dave Allison

Reply to
Dave Allison

As others have said you are building a crude barometer/ thermometer when you seal up the carboy. I doubt this had anything to do with yeast. You shouldn't seal the carboy the first day or two, yeast need oxygen initially.

Next time just cover the opening for the first few days until the yeast gets going. Joe

Reply to
Joe Sallustio

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