Begian Dark Strong kit- Bad instructions!

[mudman]

Just brewed the Northern Brewer - The Number 8 extract kit this weekend and I am glad that I researched this well before going at it.  It says in the directions to put the AIR LOCK on and says nothing about a blow off tube.  Luckily I ignored the instructions or I would be mopping my ceiling. 

On a side note it is going well, fermenting at about 67 degrees, I will ramp up to low 70's in a couple days.  I plan on splitting it in secondary and adding a pound of honey to one batch as well as dumping some New Glarus Wisconsin Red into it.  Hope it all works out.

[drummerboyseth]

I ALWAYS use a blow-off tube during the first 3 to 4 days of fermentation.  I only switch to an airlock when the aggressive bubbling dies down.

[tygo]

I ALWAYS use a blow-off tube during the first 3 to 4 days of fermentation.  I only switch to an airlock when the aggressive bubbling dies down.

I do the same because I'm usually trying to ferment 5.5 gallons in a 6 gallon better bottle.  Easier just to attach the blowoff tube than to clean up the mess if it blows off.

[mudman]

Good to know, this will be standard procedure for me from now on.

[nateo]

I've never used a blow-off tube. I've only had one fermentor explode, and that was a robust porter. But, I also do incremental feeding on my Belgians.

[a10t2]

I don't think you can jump straight to "bad instructions" when the people who wrote them couldn't possibly know how much fermenter head space you have.

[morticaixavier]

I don't think you can jump straight to "bad instructions" when the people who wrote them couldn't possibly know how much fermenter head space you have.

+1 I never put a blow off tube or even an airlock on my fermenters at first. They might crawl out of the bucket but they don't end up on the ceiling.

Plenty of kits DO have bad instructions, such as pitching at 70*, using too little yeast, using dark malt extracts. but 'attach an airlock', that's just standard.

[mudman]

I don't think you can jump straight to "bad instructions" when the people who wrote them couldn't possibly know how much fermenter head space you have.

Ok, you are right, but I just assume that the majority of people who brew from a standard 5 gallon extract kit probably have either a starter kit bucket or a 5-6 gallon glass carboy and the amount of sugar in the kit which is all put in at once, combined with the high gravity Belgian yeast would blow the top on most people's setup.  I would at least include a warning on a recipe of this type.

[blatz]

I don't think you can jump straight to "bad instructions" when the people who wrote them couldn't possibly know how much fermenter head space you have.

Ok, you are right, but I just assume that the majority of people who brew from a standard 5 gallon extract kit probably have either a starter kit bucket or a 5-6 gallon glass carboy and the amount of sugar in the kit which is all put in at once, combined with the high gravity Belgian yeast would blow the top on most people's setup.  I would at least include a warning on a recipe of this type.

did you email this to the guys at NB?  they might have just overlooked it and might add it to the instructions going forward.  feedback helps sometimes.

[mudman]

I don't think you can jump straight to "bad instructions" when the people who wrote them couldn't possibly know how much fermenter head space you have.

Ok, you are right, but I just assume that the majority of people who brew from a standard 5 gallon extract kit probably have either a starter kit bucket or a 5-6 gallon glass carboy and the amount of sugar in the kit which is all put in at once, combined with the high gravity Belgian yeast would blow the top on most people's setup.  I would at least include a warning on a recipe of this type.

did you email this to the guys at NB?  they might have just overlooked it and might add it to the instructions going forward.  feedback helps sometimes.

Will do, good idea.