What do you put in a airlock?

[Mollie]

Hi all. I'm making my frist batch of wine. I seen a few people put sanatizer in their airlock but then I also read that you should only use water. Is one better to use then the other? I am brewing my wine in a "fastferment". I don't know if that makes a difference on what I should use

 

[dralarms]

I use kmeta but some use vodka.

 

[StBlGT]

I only use a kmeta solution. Not sure why you should only use water. Water is just an option, along with others. Like the above poster said; vodka is an option, too. I used water when i started, but realized since i will be bulk aging a while, that something rather than just water is a better idea.

 

[Julie]

There is nothing wrong with using just plan ole water, that is all I use, just make sure you change it weekly but for long term aging I use the waterless airlocks.

 

[Tom_S]

I use just water during secondary fermentation when I'm paying close attention to the wine, but for long term aging I'll use k-meta solution since I tend to forget about them for a while.

And just as a word of friendly advice, don't forget to check the levels on a regular basis when bulk aging. I've lost at least one 5 gallon batch to oxidation because I forgot to make sure the airlock was topped up.

 

[ceeaton]

I use a star san solution normally, but fermenting a red wine I use whiskey. If it gets pulled back in it leaves a nice flavor note, if you can detect it.

 

[Rampage4all]

I use distilled alcohol seems to last longer than water solutions

 

[NorCal]

I sprung for silicon bungs and have never looked back.

 

[vacuumpumpman]

As u can see it is a personal preference - Just make sure that the airlock is full of some sort of liquid, or not to worry it it is an airless air lock ( I personally hve not tried them yet )

 

[KathyVann2]

I have bought a twin bubble airlock.. Are they good??

 

[Arne]

I have bought a twin bubble airlock.. Are they good??

They work fine. I use a cheap rum in mine. If they pull the liquid back in a bit of rum does not hurt anything. Seems to take longer to evaporate than some other liquids. Might just be my imagination, tho. Arne.

 

[jburtner]

I've been using kmeta in the airlock during the initial lees fallout immediately after Xfer from primary. After a couple vacuum splash rackings to clear off the sediment i'll be happy that it's degassed and ditch the airlock for a headspace eliminator.

I usually find dead fruit flies in the airlock so like to prevent it from pulling back in to the wine but whats a couple dead flies among drinking buddies anyway?

Cheers!
-johann

 

[Floandgary]

And you thought those gigantic casks and cockeyed bottles dusty and cobwebbed in the dark/dank dungeon-like caves were unattended for years!!! Well a little known factoid is that the rookie Monks of those days had to work their way up too!! We're not quite to the "ferment-and-forget level even yet....

 

[Spikedlemon]

Put me on the KMS bandwagon.
Not because I seek out KMS, knowing that the KMS' effectiveness has long evaporated shortly after I've poured it out, but because in my winemaking corner that I have a big jug of KMS on hand at all times (and a squirt-bottle of it) so it's the easiest.

 

[wineforfun]

Used to use water but switched to vodka.

 

[jgmann67]

I've been using Vodka for over a year now. Very pleased.

 

[bkisel]

First... Welcome to the forum!

I've used both water and k-meta solution. Mostly k-meta because I generally just spritzed the airlock with solution and that's what I have right in my hand so I just spritz into the 3 piece airlock to fill it to its proper level.

For bulk aging I've been using Saran Wrap and a few rubber bands.

 

[Mollie]

Wow thanks for the replys! So does it actually make a difference to the wine if I use vodka, water or the cleaning solution?

 

[NorCal]

The goal is to keep the air out and provide a sanitary condition for the wine. It can be achieved a number of ways. If you use plain water, I would change it out on occasion, to avoid things growing. The other alternatives provide the oxygen barrier and combat things growing.

 

[StBlGT]

Makes no difference to the wine. Just monitor it and make sure the airlock doesn't go dry.