Which is the better Airlock?

[StoneCreek]

I've noticed there are several styles of airlocks currently on the market and eBay. Is one style preferred over the other for any particular reason? Which style do you prefer? I plan on buying a few or more so I'll have them as I start collecting carboys. My original kit came with the three piece style so that is the only one I am familiar with. Thanks in advance for your 2 cents.

 

[Rocky]

David, I prefer the one piece s-shaped airlock for a couple of reasons. It gives me a better visual of what is happening with the fermentation and it does not seem to lose its liquid to evaporation as readily as the three-piece model does. At least, this has been my experience. On the down side it is a little harder to clean but I find that pipe cleaners do a good job.

 

[cmason1957]

I have some of both the 3 piece and the S shaped. I don't think it matters much which you get. The S shaped are possibly a bit more fun to watch.

 

[Winenoob66]

They summed it up for you the 3 piece is easier to clean and the S shape is easier to tell if your still fermenting, the choice is yours. but keep in mind the shape does require more equipment to clean (as in a simple airlock brush.)

 

[jamesngalveston]

s shape for me, but i have some 3 pc, for just in case i break one.

 

[JohnT]

I prefer the S (gooseneck) type of lock. They have no parts that can get lost and do give you a better visual.

 

[Boatboy24]

I use both, but prefer the s-type for the reasons stated above. Also, they make it easy to tell if you have a good seal on the carboy.

 

[richmke]

The 3 piece has an advantage during Primary Fermentation. It can pass larger volume of gas, and is easier to clean.

Later, the S type has the advantages of: Lower evaporation rate, and can allow gas to go both ways (3 piece will suck liquid into the carboy).

During long-term storage, the vented silicone bung has the advantages of: Does not dry out, and can keep gas from being sucked into the carboy.

 

[StoneCreek]

The 3 piece has an advantage during Primary Fermentation. It can pass larger volume of gas, and is easier to clean.

Later, the S type has the advantages of: Lower evaporation rate, and can allow gas to go both ways (3 piece will suck liquid into the carboy).

During long-term storage, the vented silicone bung has the advantages of: Does not dry out, and can keep gas from being sucked into the carboy.

I'll have to pick up a few of those vented bungs if I decide to do some bulk aging. Thanks for letting me know they exist. I ordered a few or five s airlocks this morning. Thanks for all the advice.

 

[jswordy]

I use all 3-piece. Easy to clean and to be SURE it is all clean and sanitized. I have never had evaporation trouble like others, never had trouble with liquid being sucked back into the carboy, not sure why that is.

 

[cintipam]

Airlock brushes are pricey. I got a multipac of airbrush cleaner brushes at Harbor Freight for $2. They are diff sizes also which is nice. I researched the which kind of airlock question a couple months back and richmke hit it on the head. So far I mostly use 3 piece, but I find I have to change out the locks often due to evaporation. During summer only when I add meta, but winter is here now and it seems like a monthly chore. Right now while I have all my aging carboys on wheelie cars in my kitchen thats fine. But soon I'll have to put some in long term storage, maybe the basement, and I don't get there too often to keep a good eye on them. I'll go s style then for sure.

Pam in cinti

 

[Elmer]

You are supposed to clean airlocks???

I started with the 3 peice.
I have since moved on to the S.
As all have stated you can better observe the action.
Not to say that I sit in my basement staring at all the airlocks to pass the time.
That would be sad, unless someone else does it aswell. In that case aint it fun!!!

 

[Boatboy24]

You are supposed to clean airlocks???

Glad I'm not the only one thinking that.

I rinse them well and put them in the corkidor. When in action, they are filled with sulfite solution.

 

[richmke]

I use Vodka in my airlocks. I figure if it gets sucked in, the wine gets a little kick.

The last time, I tried not using anything in the 3 piece during primary. Seems like there is a lot of opinions on even whether to use an airlock during primary. I figure it keeps dust and bugs out.

 

[JohnT]

The one advantage of the gooseneck type of lock (other than what has already been listed) is the SOUND!!!

Man, I LOVE the "blurp-blurp" sound that occurs when a batch is really cooking. If you have several batches going at once, it sounds even better. I would love to put this down on tape (ok CD for you youngsters) and sell it.... "Sounds to make a winemaker sleep".

 

[garymc]

Some of you are missing out on the fun. If the fermentation is going pretty good and you put a little too much liquid in the 3 piece, the middle piece bangs against the cap. Much more entertaining than just the bubbles.

 

[StoneCreek]

The one advantage of the gooseneck type of lock (other than what has already been listed) is the SOUND!!!

Man, I LOVE the "blurp-blurp" sound that occurs when a batch is really cooking. If you have several batches going at once, it sounds even better. I would love to put this down on tape (ok CD for you youngsters) and sell it.... "Sounds to make a winemaker sleep".

John, Your reasoning alone makes me glad I bought a few or five off eBay yesterday. At 40 I don't really consider myself a youngster but after a quick look around the house i realized a tape wouldn't do me any good. Although, my 15 year old did point out the 2000 Explorer we bought him recently had a tape player. I also remember him sticking his finger in the tape player and asking "whats this do"!

 

[tonyt]

I have all three kinds. I use the vented silicone on my small barrels. I use the three piece on carboys. I no longer use the S type, they are impossible to clean and or change out the solution. I don't clean the three piece ones just rinse out under tap water and refill with meta solution.

 

[JohnT]

John, Your reasoning alone makes me glad I bought a few or five off eBay yesterday. At 40 I don't really consider myself a youngster but after a quick look around the house i realized a tape wouldn't do me any good. Although, my 15 year old did point out the 2000 Explorer we bought him recently had a tape player. I also remember him sticking his finger in the tape player and asking "whats this do"!

Hmmm. Let me get this straight. You purchase him a vehicle and he complains about the sound system?????

 

[StoneCreek]

Hmmm. Let me get this straight. You purchase him a vehicle and he complains about the sound system?????

lol. Not a complaint. It's also new enough to have a CD player, however, he honestly didn't know what the tape slot was for! I also remember when he was about three or four and we were walking through a reuse it store (thrift store) and he saw a bunch of 33 rpm records. His eyes got real big, like only a toddlers can do, and he said, "whoa!, those are some big CDs!". When I explained what they were he was astounded, "you can watch em spin?".