Causes

[winemaker81]

What about StarSan? Slimy?

I've never tried it, although any liquid other than hard liquor will eventually get nasty.

 

[wineview]

Likely just temperature change. Was it cooler when you racked to your current vessel?

I noted a significant amount of expansion in my wines. I left an inch or so and after a few weeks and only a couple degrees temperature increase they were pretty well touching the bung.

Yep. A regular occurrence.

 

[bstnh1]

Airlocks can get slimy with K-meta solution.

I swap them out monthly or bi-monthly, and check water levels weekly. I learned to do this the hard way.

I actually had kmeta that I left in an open corkador for a few days get mouldy

 

[Vlabruz]

Each style has its proponents, all for good reasons. I prefer 3 piece as they are easier to clean.

And in the last couple of years, I've switched to vented bungs for bulk adding, which eliminates the, "what do I fill it with?" question.

I cant find those for the 5 or 6 gallons carboys

 

[bstnh1]

I have both styles but prefer the s-type. I use k-meta and don't leave the same airlock in for longer than a month, so cleaning has not been an issue. But after all the slime talk, you guys have convinced me to switch to vodka.

 

[winemaker81]

I cant find those for the 5 or 6 gallons carboys

My LHBS sells vented bungs like this one.

https://www.beer-wine.com/silicone-bung-for-carboys-vented