Airlock clogged with wort what to do

[barrykaren2006]

Hi , I have a ale extract put down yesterday using safbrew 04, It kicked off fairly rapidly within 2 hours . Got up this morning to see wort coming out the airlock and down on to the FV lid (flat top plastic fv bucket). I realised this may get worse during theday so i took off the airlock and put sanitised fine muslin over the airlock opening and tied around the sides of the bucket to provide a seal and prevent any large dust getting i. I also left the lid slightly open at one of the sides to avoid build up of C02.
Would this be ok to avoid any bacteria/ nasties getting in ? Hopefully my batch isn't ruined. I have read somewhere that once fermentation starts its likely that the c02 developed in the free space between lid and wort will prevent any nasties getting in ie very little air gets in
The wort is fermetned in my back kitchen with a window opened and there wont bne much traffic in the area (no pets and kids running around )

Another question as well i noticed my wort is quite brown , had hoped for a red ale color i think i overdone it on the roast and crystal . Is ther any way that this will lighten in color . I have heard if you sign a light through a sample it will tell you the finishing color as ther is still abit of cloud in the wort at the moment

Any advice would be great

[OldSpeckledBadger]

It'll probably be OK. Don't pay any attention to the colour of the wort at this point because it'll be crammed full of yeast.

[barrykaren2006]

Hi , generally when does the ferment calm down could i chance sanitising a noew airlock and put it on again this evening with a slightly open seal on the lid , is it likely it will get worse in the coming days , first time getiin such a vigorous fermentation

[OldSpeckledBadger]

The fermentation will usually start to calm down after about 36 hours or so. It definitely won't get worse.

[barrykaren2006]

Would you think i will get an infection in the beer with air getting in or does this only make a difference if you are brewing outside in a shed etc.

[OldSpeckledBadger]

The air won't get in because the fermentation process creates a blanket of CO2 over the wort. I never use an airlock. I just rest the lid on top of the FV. I've never had a beer get infected.

[badgerdan]

Don't use an airlock? I wouldn't dream of it as I just love the sound of those bubbles Fills me with a warm feeling that something good's coming along (well, it did until I tasted those Coopers kits; bit dodgy)

[Chase24]

I wouldn't worry about infection. The fermentation is producing a steady stream of co2 at this stage which is effectively blowing bacteria away from the wort; and any that do happen to get close will probably get killed by the alcohol. once the first stage dies down put a new airlock on and don't worry about it.

[barrykaren2006]

came home monday eve sterilised airlock and refitted , went to take smaple , frigging plastic tap started to loosen and leak , this got worse until it loosenned the tap practically ,Ended up throwing it down sink , peed off , had already gone down 20 points in a day guaging from sample . Cant understand how the leak occurred , worked fine last brew no leak and the tap was fully tightenned to the back nut on the fv , ddid any one else experience this with plastic fittings ? Think i will fit a ball lock valve for the next brew

[EoinMag]

If this happens to me, I get some tin foil, sanitise it and then take the airlock off, cover the hole with the foil and take my airlock away and rinse it and then put it back. There is so much CO2 leaving the solution at this point that there is little chance of contamination.