Thermowell + Blow Off Tube Arrangement

[triplepoint]

Oy,

I'm trying to figure out an arrangement to get a blow off tube to play nice with a thermowell. I have on hand a double-drilled cork that was intended to fit both the thermowell and a 3-piece airlock. Can I cram a regular racking-cane-sized hose into the air-lock hole and call it good? Maybe I can drill it out a bit more for a larger hose? Maybe I can use an orange carboy cap instead of a bung? Anyone had any experience along these lines?

In the past, I've (twice) made a modern art statement all over my bathroom ceiling with an air-lock blowout. We've since built a dedicated temperature-controlled fermentation box (which is awesome), and the last thing I want to do is blow chunky beer froth all over the inside.

So is it possible to cram a hose in next to a thermowell and still have enough flow to not chunkify the surrounding area? Any help would be appreciated.

And yes, I did say double-drilled.

- TP

[ChrisKennedy]

Orange carboy cap sounds like a winner to me.

[Mylo]

I know you spent money on the thermowell. I am sorry. You need to let that go. Perhaps you can sell it to someone else that thinks they need one. Tape you probe to the side of the carboy and wrap it with bubble wrap. That will leave you the "normal" blow off tube width for the entire blow off tube.


Mylo

[Bugeater]

I agree with Mylo. If you have enough blowoff that you need a blowoff tube, a "racking cane size" tube won't be sufficient. Take a peek at this pic.

A small diameter blow off tube will be no more effective than that airlock. It will clog easily and then blow the whole stopper out. The built up pressure will then spew spooge all over the ceiling. You need to start with the right size blow off tube.

Tape the probe to the outside of the fermenter and you will be good.

Wayne
Bugeater Brewing Company

[triplepoint]

Ah, the beauty of internet forums. The good ones can make you see something you've been avoiding.

Mylo's right of course. The logical value of "taking your sample from the middle of the wort volume" seemed so obvious, I was reluctant to ditch it.

But weighing the dubious advantage of suspending your thermometer inside the wort against the obvious advantage of not having to repaint the ceiling every weekend, it's obvious the thermowell has to go.

I guess I'm glad I caught this before I ordered another one.

Regarding Bug's linked image, I'm surprised the bung stayed in place while the airlock was gushing. Mine usually pop under the pressure, and its that moment when the pressure is highest, but the bung is still loosely in the carboy mouth that you get the "finger over the end of the hose" effect, and have to bust out the stepladder.

Thanks for the help.
-TP

[Big Tex]

This is why I always use a blow-off tube even it I don't think I'll need it... then when things settle down, replace it with an air lock... All it takes is one big ass mess to head to Home Depots hose department!

[Whitebeard_Brewer]

The built up pressure will then spew spooge all over the ceiling.
Wayne
Bugeater Brewing Company

That has to go down in the great beer quotes page!!! I almost spewed hot coffee on my monitor when I read that Bug. Thanks for the morning laugh.

[Push Eject]

All it takes is one big ass-mess to head to Home Depots hose department!

Yeah!

Oh wait, what?