Airlock overflowed overnight

[Mavrick7881]

Hi all, this is my second batch of brew. I am using the same brew bucket, but this time the fermentation was vigorous!! I started the fermentation yesterday at noon and when I checked this morning it had overflowed the airlock. There was wort on the lid and spilled over the edge. I cleaned up most on the lid with paper towel but some still spilled back in when I took the air lock out to replace it. I kept changing the airlock all morning and also took a bit out from the spigot to lower the level! Will of be ok??

 

[Mavrick7881]

I made sure to sanitize the lid prior to brew but just nervous that possible contamination from the wort that was sitting on the lid for a few hours and got back in.

 

[unionrdr]

You need to rig a blow off tube in the airlock grommet to a jug with a lil water & Starsan in it. That'll blow off the excess krausen & co2 without the mess. Here's a link to Bersmith's page; http://beersmith.com/blog/2009/10/10/better-beer-with-the-burton-union-blow-off-method/

 

[Mavrick7881]

Will the wort that got back in be an issue?? I am putting together an overflow tube for my next batch for sure!!!

 

[freisste]

Will the wort that got back in be an issue?? I am putting together an overflow tube for my next batch for sure!!!

There is no way to tell at this point. It is possible, but I would say unlikely.

 

[unionrdr]

Yeah,since it's still in the midst of initial fermentation,it might be overwelmed by the yeasts' feeding frenzy.

 

[Mavrick7881]

Thank you!! Just gonna wait the 5-6 days and see what happens!!
Thank you again for your quick response!! I really appreciate it!

 

[unionrdr]

I'd give it more like 2 weeks just to get close to FG. Don't trust instruction sheets. They usually rush things to get you to buy another kit sooner.

 

[Mavrick7881]

Ok so it seems that the bubbling has slowed right down and almost stopped!! Is this normal or is it possible that due to removing some wort from the spigot to lower the level has messed up the fermentation!?!? It's only day 2

 

[unionrdr]

No,it's fine. It seems initial fermentation is done. It'll now slowly & uneventfully creep down to FG. Then I give it another 3-7 days to clean up by products of fermentation & let it setle out clear or slightly misty before bottling.

 

[Mavrick7881]

Ok so I tested the hygrometer reading this afternoon and its showing 1.004!! It started at1.040 on Friday!! Is this possible??

 

[unionrdr]

Are you sure it's reading right? that's darn near water.

 

[Mavrick7881]

I know!!! I am going to check again!! I tasted it and its not sugary at all!!

 

[unionrdr]

Test the hydrometer in the temperature of water recommended in the instruction sheet that came in the tube with it.

 

[Mavrick7881]

Just took the sample... It's got quite a bit of foam, and I have to fill the tube all the way before it starts to float!! Now once the foam settles out it reads 1.006

 

[Mavrick7881]

Water from tap is reading 0.998

 

[unionrdr]

Here's a quicky little hydrometer temp correction program; http://www.brewheads.com/gravcorrect.php

 

[Mavrick7881]

According to that the reading is 1.008

 

[unionrdr]

To be honest,that sounds a little more like it!

 

[Mavrick7881]

Suggestions on how to proceed....