So I think I’ve narrowed a recent source of infection to my blowoff tube. What’s everyone’s method for cleaning these? Evidently soaking in PBW followed by a good rinse and soak in star san isn’t enough.
I’m using a 1" ID plastic tube stuffed into the neck of a 6.5 gallon carboy, FYI.
I know it’s darn near standard practice… but I’ve never trusted the “1” tube in the carboy neck" blowoff set up because I don’t think you get a very reliable or sanitary seal.
I like a smaller diameter tube inserted into a rubber stopper.
PBW soak and an occasional brush on tough debris is all I’ve ever had to do.
I have a carboy cap with 1/2" tubing on the larger port for my blowoff. To clean, I soak in Oxyclean and rinse. Since I only need about 2-3ft for my tube, I’ll replace it frequently, especially if it was just used on a active blowoff.
I’m the same way. It feels wasteful material wise, but it’s inexpensive and is worth the peace of mind in my opinion.
Well needless to say I’ll be throwing the old blowoff tube out.
What’s considered the minimum ID for a blowoff hose?
The ID is eluding me right now but it’s the same as your standard 3-piece airlock. I’ve never had any issues with that size.
I’m using 1/2" ID silicone high temp tubing slipped onto the inside post of a 3-piece airlock with the cover and the little floating bubble removed.
You can boil the silicone tubing.
My only problem so far is that I can’t seem to remove the tubing from the airlock without breaking the plastic post. I’m going to look for a piece of stainless tube instead, then just clean and boil the entire set-up after every use.
If you can’t find SS tube, a piece of copper tube should also work and is easier to cut and bend.
+2. I recently picked up 100’ of it for a fraction of the price I would have paid at my LHBS. Ought to last for a while…
Another option I’m looking into is Fermcap-S. How effective is it? Wouldn’t it still be prudent to still have a backup blowoff tube setup?
Very.
Sure, for things like WY3068 or something. Otherwise, no.
I connect my blow-off hose to the inner post of my 3-piece airlock. I had to trash my last one after its first use as I couldn’t get a couple yeast stains to remove even after soaking it in hot PBW for days. Oh well, a new piece of hose is cheap and good insurance for a clean fermentation.
As effective as fermcap is, I gave up using it over a year or so ago as I felt that when I used it in the fermenters that the beers simply did not maintain their head retention as well as I thought they should have. Not that I had much to compare it to, just a personal bias.
True, but then you have Fermcap-S in your beer.
I’m in the camp that will use fermcap in starters but not during primary fermentation.
I accidentally broke a plastic racking cane. I decided to cut up the surviving pieces into ~3" tubes that I use to connect the blow-off tube and the carboy bung. It was a simple solution to what used to be a constant problem for me. When the tubing starts to look bad or I can’t get it clean enough for my comfort I replace it.
Better temp control and less greedy fills of the carboy have made blow-off less of an issue for me. Not completely gone but fewer monster blows.
Paul
Guilty of greedy fills myself…then I stepped to the next fermenter size up. The corny kegs get filled, but the pail of sanitizer doesn’t. When tubes start to discolor, it’s time to pitch them. We put too much time and labor to allow a great beer be spoiled by being cheap and not replacing a blow off tube.
3068 was actually the yeast in the last beer that I needed a blowoff tube for.
Maybe a better option would be to get a large bucket, say 8 gallons, for yeasts that are likely to need a blowoff tube. Then stock fermcap-s as the backup plan.
You beat me to it, Phil. I ferment all my beers in 8 gallon wine fermenter buckets and haven’t needed a blowoff hose since switching. That includes big beers, and also 3068 and 3787.
Yeah, I remember you saying that on another thread. Till now, it seemed like a blowoff tube was easier than a rather large piece of equipment that won’t be used all the time. Now a 8-gallon bucket is looking like the simplest solution.