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Keep your fermenting alcohol airtight
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An airlock lets carbon dioxide (CO2) escape from fermenting wine and beer without letting outside air in.
Things You Should Know
- Remove the label from and rinse out a prescription pill bottle. Then, drill an 1⁄8 inch (0.3 cm) hole in the cap.
- Thread the tube of a ballpoint pen through the drilled hole, and seal it with epoxy. Place a clean rifle cartridge over the end of the pen inside the bottle.
- Drill a hole in a cork slightly smaller than the pen tube, then thread the pen through the hole on the outside of the pill bottle. Fill the bottle with water, and place it in the carboy.
Steps
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Clean out a clear plastic bottle. Prescription pill bottles with the label removed work well. -
Drill an 1 ⁄ 8 inch (0.3 cm) hole in the lid and a hole the size of an average ballpoint pen in the bottom of the bottle. [1] X Research sourceAdvertisement -
Take the guts out of a ballpoint pen so that you have an open tube remaining. Insert the pen in the bottom hole of the pill bottle and push it in all but 1 ⁄ 2 inch (1.3 cm) from the top. Mix fast-curing two-part epoxy and seal the pen to the bottle. [2] X Research source -
Clean out a rifle cartridge (30/30, 7.62, or anything with a diameter greater than that of the pen). Place it over the end of the pen inside of the pill bottle. -
Drill a hole in a cork slightly smaller than the diameter of the pen. Place the end of the pen all the way through the cork. -
Fill the pill bottle with water up to 1 ⁄ 4 inch (0.6 cm) below the top of the pen inside. [3] X Research source -
Insert the cork end into the bottle in which you are fermenting your wine, beer, or moonshine mash.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionWhat if I don't have a rifle cartridge? What else can I use?Fear.of.mothsCommunity AnswerA sanitary piece of aluminum foil crimped over the top, or even a plastic baggy with a rubber band on the outside (either use a new roll/box or pour some of your favorite high proof liquor on it just to be sure) should do the trick.
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QuestionIf fermenting in a 5-gallon bucket, wouldn't surgical tubing, run from the bucket lid, with the end submerged in a jar of water serve the same purpose, still allowing it to " burp" without letting air in?Daniel HerkesCommunity AnswerYes, it would. Years ago they placed the expiratory circuit on a mechanical ventilator in a flask of water for the same reason.
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QuestionHow do you make sure the rifle cartridge doesn't float and come off the pen tube?Snakey006550Top AnswererTo make sure the rifle cartridge stays securely attached to the pen tube, use a strong adhesive like epoxy or super glue designed for metal bonding. Clean the inside of the cartridge with alcohol or a degreaser to remove any dirt or oil, and lightly sand the interior to improve adhesion. Test-fit the pen tube to ensure a snug fit, and if it’s loose, wrap the tube with thin tape or use additional adhesive to fill gaps. Apply the adhesive evenly along the tube and insert it into the cartridge, making sure it sits securely. Hold or clamp the pieces together until the adhesive cures fully according to the instructions.
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Tips
- The airlock works on the exact same principle that your bathroom sink does for the trap below the basin. It creates a pocket of air that can escape through the top, but doesn't allow air from above to enter. You can substitute any of these parts with similar items. Clear plastic bottles are easy to work with and it's important to see the bubbles in the water to know that your solution is fermenting properly. The CO2 goes up the pen and is then redirected below the water by flowing down the rifle cartridge and out the top of the pill bottle through the hole you drilled in the lid. A commercial airlock will do exactly the same thing and will cost you 10 to 20 dollars. With 10 minutes of work, you can make this for pennies.Thanks
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Warnings
- Be sure to let the epoxy cure for an hour before filling with water.Thanks
- Check the water level in the airlock every few days to make sure it's high enough, as it evaporates slowly during this process. The bigger the pill bottle you use, the less you'll be adding water.Thanks
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References
About This Article
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 278,663 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "I tweaked a couple things, like using silicone to seal around the pen on the pill bottle, and I used a tiny glass vial from the dollar store vs a rifle cartridge. Worked out great!" ..." more
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"I tweaked a couple things, like using silicone to seal around the pen on the pill bottle, and I used a tiny glass vial from the dollar store vs a rifle cartridge. Worked out great!"
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"An inexpensive airlock using materials already at hand is exactly what I've been looking for. From a mechanical standpoint, I'm sure this will work perfectly. Thank you!"
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"Reasonably simple explanation. So many articles are too complex. I now have the basics and understand the process."
"As a newbie to wine making, there's a lot that I don't know. I found this to be extremely helpful. Thanks."
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"Helped me make a few things I need to make for my wine and beer. Thanks Wiki, love y'all ."
