What are these?
They are a twin and a triple bubble airlock and a cylinder airlock. Airlocks are important for all home wine and beer makers. Affixed to the top of a closed fermenter by inserting into a bored
bung and filled half way with water, they allow the escape of carbon dioxide gas produced by fermentation. The gas bubbles up through the water. The water prevents any outside air
from entering the fermenter. This helps to prevent oxidation, and possible contamination from airborne microbes (and fruit flies). The caps on all airlocks are not an airtight
seal and must be in place to keep fruit flies out! Watching bubbling airlocks becomes a serious pastime of home brewers and
vintners.
The triple bubble airlocks that were popular many years ago had a
smaller stem to insert into the bung. The twin bubble airlocks of
modern times, have a larger diameter stem and can break upon
inserting into the bung, especially if you use the top half as a handle to
twist in. Go with caution and easy does it or maybe a
little water will help.
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