Real quick question.

[thestingers]

I have an ale kit, and its brewing away like a dream. I have it covered with the tub lid, but does it need to be sealed down tight? Currently I have it very loose so it can breath a bit.

Thanks

[thestingers]

Oh, and do I scoop off the froth when its done?

[Benson_JV]

Personally what i do, is i drill a little hole in the lid, and just place a teatowel *clean obviously over the hole.

EDIT: In answer to your second question, skim it every night if its got muck on the top, and wipe the ring if thats what you mean.

[Lillywhite]

In answer to your second question, skim it every night if its got muck on the top, and wipe the ring if thats what you mean.

I raised this question on another forum and was told to leave well alone otherwise you will inviting oxygen into your brew and risking infecting the brew.

[jonohanson]

Yup leave the foam alone, its part of the process and will disapear when fermenting is done. As for the lid I just leave it snapped off a little.

[mdex]

Yup leave the foam alone, its part of the process and will disapear when fermenting is done. As for the lid I just leave it snapped off a little.

Same here. Snap the lid closed all the way aound the uncrack a little in one spot to allow gasses to escape.

Leave the foam as I also use it as a sign of when fermenting is complete aswell as the hydrometer.

[Benson_JV]

I guess im a weird one then!

My dads always taught me to skim the crud off top nightly!

[Lillywhite]

I guess im a weird one then!

My dads always taught me to skim the crud off top nightly!

That's what I used to do years ago but apparently these modern top fermenting yeasts don't need it. I don't think we understood the problem that could be caused to the brew by oxidisation and I wish these forums were about years ago. All we had were Mr. Berry's books.