Airlock on the primary?

[Mr_Detail]

O.K., just picked up a free food grade square shaped pail for my primary.
It says it had 15 lbs. of icing in it so until I get home, I am not sure how many liquid gallons that will hold.

Anyway can anyone please tell me if an airlock is required on the primary container or not? It seems there is mixed opinions on this topic.
If yes, then I assume I will need to add a rubber grommet seal for the airlock.

Thanks!

 

[dralarms]

I use an air lock on every batch.

 

[seth8530]

I never airlock my primary, but I airlock it when I move over to secondary.

 

[Mr_Detail]

dralarms,
Is there a specific type/style/brand of airlock that you use?

Is glass better than plastic?

 

[dralarms]

I use the s lock type. Never seen any glass ones.

 

[Pumpkinman]

I'd be afraid of the glass airlocks.

 

[jamesngalveston]

no airlock on primarty just a muslin cloth, air lock a must on the secondary for me.

 

[Mr_Detail]

dralarms,
Here is a glass one:
http://www.eckraus.com/glass-air-lock.html

Pumkinman,
Why the fear of a glass airlock? Is it because they are fragile and might break?

 

[dralarms]

I guess I cantell you whyi never got one, 11 bucks each is highway robbery. Buck and a quarter is better for the s locks.

 

[sour_grapes]

I guess I cantell you whyi never got one, 11 bucks each is highway robbery. Buck and a quarter is better for the s locks.

But they have a quantity discount. Which is good, 'cause you'll probably need to replace them often due to breakage.

 

[dralarms]

But they have a quantity discount. Which is good, 'cause you'll probably need to replace them often due to breakage.

Now thats true.

 

[Pumpkinman]

Mr. Detail, yep, I've seen them, although I'm sure that they're not as fragile as I perceive them to be, I'd hate to have one break. I know that others have filtered their wine after breaking a hydrometer in it, and have still consumed the wine, but I'd be way too apprehensive about that, I'd end up tossing the wine.
To me, they're more of a novelty.