I brewed a simple pale ale yesterday. Put the bucket in ferm chamber, but forgot to put liquid in the airlock. The fermentation chamber is a brand new chest freezer than hasn’t has anything it really, except for a bucket. So I’d assume the envirment in there is very sanitary. It was probably about 12 hours with out liquid in the airlock. I used a starter of ECY12, if that makes a difference. Should I worry?
I wouldn’t worry at all.
No, you should not worry. I don’t even bother with an air lock for the primary fermentations. I just put some aluminum foil on top of the carboy.
Thanks guys. That’s what I figured.
No worries. Bacteria and other nasties can’t fall up and around the airlock parts, so don’t sweat it.
RDWHAHB
I thought I’d be original. 
All those pro brewers out there using open fermenters don’t worry.
Take a cue from them.
No big ting bruddah!
That’s what I was thinking Carl. That’s why I didn’t freak out, and relaxed with a homebrew made with only home grown hops.