When brewing my first batch of beer I used a plastic bucket to ferment.
After I put the lid on the bucket I pushed the airlock into the hole in the
lid. When I did this the rubber grommet/gasket got pushed through the hole
and fell into my beer. I washed my hand and arm well, but had to go in up to
my elbow to find it. After 10 days this stuff smelled and tasted more like
something you would clean a carburetor in than beer. Is the sticking in of
my arm likely the problem or something else?

On Sun, 31 Dec 2006 17:29:26 -0600, "Quinn Knight" <acjones@bellsouth.net>
wrote:
[color=blue]
>When brewing my first batch of beer I used a plastic bucket to ferment.
>After I put the lid on the bucket I pushed the airlock into the hole in the
>lid. When I did this the rubber grommet/gasket got pushed through the hole
>and fell into my beer. I washed my hand and arm well, but had to go in up to
>my elbow to find it. After 10 days this stuff smelled and tasted more like
>something you would clean a carburetor in than beer. Is the sticking in of
>my arm likely the problem or something else?[/color]

I'd say that's one possibility. There are many others. You don't say whether you
sanitised anything. More than washing is required. Everything needs to be
sterile.

On the subject of airlocks I suggest throwing it away. They are more trouble
than they are worth. Just cover the fermenter with some plastic wrap. Works
perfectly. I've been doing it for years without a single failure.

Have a look at these;

[url]http://www.geocities.com/spinning_wings/beer1.jpg[/url]
[url]http://www.geocities.com/spinning_wings/beer2.jpg[/url]
[url]http://www.geocities.com/spinning_wings/beer3.jpg[/url]
[url]http://www.geocities.com/spinning_wings/beer4.jpg[/url]
[url]http://www.geocities.com/spinning_wings/beer5.jpg[/url]
[url]http://www.geocities.com/spinning_wings/beer6.jpg[/url]
[url]http://www.geocities.com/spinning_wings/beer8.jpg[/url]
[url]http://www.geocities.com/spinning_wings/beer14.jpg[/url]
[url]http://www.geocities.com/spinning_wings/beer15.jpg[/url]

Shill #312
--
Homer no function beer well without.
Homer J. Simpson

On 2006-12-31, Quinn Knight <acjones@bellsouth.net> wrote:[color=blue]
> When brewing my first batch of beer I used a plastic bucket to ferment.
> After I put the lid on the bucket I pushed the airlock into the hole in the
> lid. When I did this the rubber grommet/gasket got pushed through the hole
> and fell into my beer. I washed my hand and arm well, but had to go in up to
> my elbow to find it. After 10 days this stuff smelled and tasted more like
> something you would clean a carburetor in than beer. Is the sticking in of
> my arm likely the problem or something else?
>[/color]
I don't think it was your arm. I had the same thin happen once when
making an Irish Red. It turned out to be one of the best beers I've ever
made.

--
TARogue (t o m (at) t a r o g u e . n e t)
"The Schizophrenic: An Unauthorized Autobiography"

At the time I thought I was sanitizing everything. I used B-Brite to wash
everything. I have done some more reading since then and found that B-Brite
takes 30 minutes to actually sanitize anything. So, basically, none of my
stuff was actually sanitized. After reading some of the threads here it
sounds to me Iodophor is the way to go. I will try this next time.
"Phil Miller" <philmil@REMOVEoptusnet.com.au> wrote in message
news:g5igp2ppg96k6hidtjsfj6prhhee2q1kfl@4ax.com...[color=blue]
> On Sun, 31 Dec 2006 17:29:26 -0600, "Quinn Knight" <acjones@bellsouth.net>
> wrote:
>[color=green]
>>When brewing my first batch of beer I used a plastic bucket to ferment.
>>After I put the lid on the bucket I pushed the airlock into the hole in
>>the
>>lid. When I did this the rubber grommet/gasket got pushed through the hole
>>and fell into my beer. I washed my hand and arm well, but had to go in up
>>to
>>my elbow to find it. After 10 days this stuff smelled and tasted more like
>>something you would clean a carburetor in than beer. Is the sticking in of
>>my arm likely the problem or something else?[/color]
>
> I'd say that's one possibility. There are many others. You don't say
> whether you
> sanitised anything. More than washing is required. Everything needs to be
> sterile.
>
> On the subject of airlocks I suggest throwing it away. They are more
> trouble
> than they are worth. Just cover the fermenter with some plastic wrap.
> Works
> perfectly. I've been doing it for years without a single failure.
>
> Have a look at these;
>
> [url]http://www.geocities.com/spinning_wings/beer1.jpg[/url]
> [url]http://www.geocities.com/spinning_wings/beer2.jpg[/url]
> [url]http://www.geocities.com/spinning_wings/beer3.jpg[/url]
> [url]http://www.geocities.com/spinning_wings/beer4.jpg[/url]
> [url]http://www.geocities.com/spinning_wings/beer5.jpg[/url]
> [url]http://www.geocities.com/spinning_wings/beer6.jpg[/url]
> [url]http://www.geocities.com/spinning_wings/beer8.jpg[/url]
> [url]http://www.geocities.com/spinning_wings/beer14.jpg[/url]
> [url]http://www.geocities.com/spinning_wings/beer15.jpg[/url]
>
> Shill #312
> --
> Homer no function beer well without.
> Homer J. Simpson[/color]

Quinn Knight wrote:[color=blue]
>
> When brewing my first batch of beer I used a plastic bucket to ferment.
> After I put the lid on the bucket I pushed the airlock into the hole in the
> lid. When I did this the rubber grommet/gasket got pushed through the hole
> and fell into my beer. I washed my hand and arm well, but had to go in up to
> my elbow to find it. After 10 days this stuff smelled and tasted more like
> something you would clean a carburetor in than beer. Is the sticking in of
> my arm likely the problem or something else?[/color]

I doubt it was your arm. What temp are you fermenting it at?

------------>Denny
--
Life begins at 60...1.060, that is.

Fermenting between 65 and 75
"Denny Conn" <denny.g.conn@ci.eugene.or.us> wrote in message
news:459A904E.9AEA9BBC@ci.eugene.or.us...[color=blue]
> Quinn Knight wrote:[color=green]
>>
>> When brewing my first batch of beer I used a plastic bucket to ferment.
>> After I put the lid on the bucket I pushed the airlock into the hole in
>> the
>> lid. When I did this the rubber grommet/gasket got pushed through the
>> hole
>> and fell into my beer. I washed my hand and arm well, but had to go in up
>> to
>> my elbow to find it. After 10 days this stuff smelled and tasted more
>> like
>> something you would clean a carburetor in than beer. Is the sticking in
>> of
>> my arm likely the problem or something else?[/color]
>
> I doubt it was your arm. What temp are you fermenting it at?
>
> ------------>Denny
> --
> Life begins at 60...1.060, that is.[/color]

Quinn Knight wrote:[color=blue]
>
> Fermenting between 65 and 75[/color]

65 would be good. 75 is too warm, IMO, and could be the cause of the
flavors you're experiencing.

---------->Denny
--
Life begins at 60...1.060, that is.

Phil Miller wrote:[color=blue]
> On Sun, 31 Dec 2006 17:29:26 -0600, "Quinn Knight" <acjones@bellsouth.net>
> wrote:
>[color=green]
> >When brewing my first batch of beer I used a plastic bucket to ferment.
> >After I put the lid on the bucket I pushed the airlock into the hole in the
> >lid. When I did this the rubber grommet/gasket got pushed through the hole
> >and fell into my beer. I washed my hand and arm well, but had to go in up to
> >my elbow to find it. After 10 days this stuff smelled and tasted more like
> >something you would clean a carburetor in than beer. Is the sticking in of
> >my arm likely the problem or something else?[/color]
>
> I'd say that's one possibility. There are many others. You don't say whether you
> sanitised anything. More than washing is required. Everything needs to be
> sterile.
>
> On the subject of airlocks I suggest throwing it away. They are more trouble
> than they are worth. Just cover the fermenter with some plastic wrap. Works
> perfectly. I've been doing it for years without a single failure.
>
> Have a look at these;
>
> [url]http://www.geocities.com/spinning_wings/beer1.jpg[/url]
> [url]http://www.geocities.com/spinning_wings/beer2.jpg[/url]
> [url]http://www.geocities.com/spinning_wings/beer3.jpg[/url]
> [url]http://www.geocities.com/spinning_wings/beer4.jpg[/url]
> [url]http://www.geocities.com/spinning_wings/beer5.jpg[/url]
> [url]http://www.geocities.com/spinning_wings/beer6.jpg[/url]
> [url]http://www.geocities.com/spinning_wings/beer8.jpg[/url]
> [url]http://www.geocities.com/spinning_wings/beer14.jpg[/url]
> [url]http://www.geocities.com/spinning_wings/beer15.jpg[/url]
>
> Shill #312
> --
> Homer no function beer well without.
> Homer J. Simpson[/color]

That's cool! Where does the CO2 escape if there is no airlock?

On 3 Jan 2007 06:52:45 -0800, "basskisser" <atl_man2@yahoo.com> wrote:
[color=blue]
>
>Phil Miller wrote:[color=green]
>> On Sun, 31 Dec 2006 17:29:26 -0600, "Quinn Knight" <acjones@bellsouth.net>
>> wrote:
>>[color=darkred]
>> >When brewing my first batch of beer I used a plastic bucket to ferment.
>> >After I put the lid on the bucket I pushed the airlock into the hole in the
>> >lid. When I did this the rubber grommet/gasket got pushed through the hole
>> >and fell into my beer. I washed my hand and arm well, but had to go in up to
>> >my elbow to find it. After 10 days this stuff smelled and tasted more like
>> >something you would clean a carburetor in than beer. Is the sticking in of
>> >my arm likely the problem or something else?[/color]
>>
>> I'd say that's one possibility. There are many others. You don't say whether you
>> sanitised anything. More than washing is required. Everything needs to be
>> sterile.
>>
>> On the subject of airlocks I suggest throwing it away. They are more trouble
>> than they are worth. Just cover the fermenter with some plastic wrap. Works
>> perfectly. I've been doing it for years without a single failure.
>>
>> Have a look at these;
>>
>> [url]http://www.geocities.com/spinning_wings/beer1.jpg[/url]
>> [url]http://www.geocities.com/spinning_wings/beer2.jpg[/url]
>> [url]http://www.geocities.com/spinning_wings/beer3.jpg[/url]
>> [url]http://www.geocities.com/spinning_wings/beer4.jpg[/url]
>> [url]http://www.geocities.com/spinning_wings/beer5.jpg[/url]
>> [url]http://www.geocities.com/spinning_wings/beer6.jpg[/url]
>> [url]http://www.geocities.com/spinning_wings/beer8.jpg[/url]
>> [url]http://www.geocities.com/spinning_wings/beer14.jpg[/url]
>> [url]http://www.geocities.com/spinning_wings/beer15.jpg[/url]
>>
>> Shill #312
>> --
>> Homer no function beer well without.
>> Homer J. Simpson[/color]
>
>That's cool! Where does the CO2 escape if there is no airlock?[/color]

I used to put a pin hole in the centre of the plastic, but I don't bother
anymore. It just escapes gently from under the edge of the sheet when the
pressure is positive inside. As the pressure dies down the rubber ring stops
baddies getting in. To know when it's finished you just look inside. when the
beer starts to clear, it's time to put it into a keg.

Cheers,

Shill #312
--
24 beers in a carton. 24 hours in a day. Hmmmm.......

Phil Miller wrote:[color=blue]
> On 3 Jan 2007 06:52:45 -0800, "basskisser" <atl_man2@yahoo.com> wrote:
>[color=green]
> >
> >Phil Miller wrote:[color=darkred]
> >> On Sun, 31 Dec 2006 17:29:26 -0600, "Quinn Knight" <acjones@bellsouth.net>
> >> wrote:
> >>
> >> >When brewing my first batch of beer I used a plastic bucket to ferment.
> >> >After I put the lid on the bucket I pushed the airlock into the hole in the
> >> >lid. When I did this the rubber grommet/gasket got pushed through the hole
> >> >and fell into my beer. I washed my hand and arm well, but had to go in up to
> >> >my elbow to find it. After 10 days this stuff smelled and tasted more like
> >> >something you would clean a carburetor in than beer. Is the sticking in of
> >> >my arm likely the problem or something else?
> >>
> >> I'd say that's one possibility. There are many others. You don't say whether you
> >> sanitised anything. More than washing is required. Everything needs to be
> >> sterile.
> >>
> >> On the subject of airlocks I suggest throwing it away. They are more trouble
> >> than they are worth. Just cover the fermenter with some plastic wrap. Works
> >> perfectly. I've been doing it for years without a single failure.
> >>
> >> Have a look at these;
> >>
> >> [url]http://www.geocities.com/spinning_wings/beer1.jpg[/url]
> >> [url]http://www.geocities.com/spinning_wings/beer2.jpg[/url]
> >> [url]http://www.geocities.com/spinning_wings/beer3.jpg[/url]
> >> [url]http://www.geocities.com/spinning_wings/beer4.jpg[/url]
> >> [url]http://www.geocities.com/spinning_wings/beer5.jpg[/url]
> >> [url]http://www.geocities.com/spinning_wings/beer6.jpg[/url]
> >> [url]http://www.geocities.com/spinning_wings/beer8.jpg[/url]
> >> [url]http://www.geocities.com/spinning_wings/beer14.jpg[/url]
> >> [url]http://www.geocities.com/spinning_wings/beer15.jpg[/url]
> >>
> >> Shill #312
> >> --
> >> Homer no function beer well without.
> >> Homer J. Simpson[/color]
> >
> >That's cool! Where does the CO2 escape if there is no airlock?[/color]
>
> I used to put a pin hole in the centre of the plastic, but I don't bother
> anymore. It just escapes gently from under the edge of the sheet when the
> pressure is positive inside. As the pressure dies down the rubber ring stops
> baddies getting in. To know when it's finished you just look inside. when the
> beer starts to clear, it's time to put it into a keg.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Shill #312[/color]

Very interesting! I like the idea! I think it will save some work! I've
got a plastic fermenter (like a bucket) with a lid, grommet and
airlock. Seems like too many pieces for me to touch and get
contaminated! Do you just use something like Saran Wrap? How about the
band, is it tight or just semi tight? I'm guessing that way the plastic
wrap would drap over the sides, the folds would allow gas to escape,
huh?