My $80 'airlock' experiment turned my whole batch into a science project

Tried to save cash by using a balloon with a pinhole instead of a proper airlock for my ginger beer. The balloon popped after two days, let in wild yeast, and ruined 5 gallons of brew. That's about $40 in ingredients and a whole weekend down the drain. Is using a proper airlock really non-negotiable, or are there any cheap setups that actually work?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_anna24d ago

Ouch, that's rough. But honestly, is a wild yeast infection that big of a deal? I've seen some people just let it ride and the brew turns out fine, just funky.

rowanellis24d ago

See this with sourdough starters all the time.

the_stella16d ago

Yeah, just let it ride and hope for the best. That's how you end up with a batch that smells like wet socks and tastes like a barn floor. Funky is one thing, but a full on infection can turn your whole brew into vinegar or worse. I'd rather dump it than waste months waiting on a gamble.