[JKL]

Good brew day yesterday.  We worked out most of the kinks in the new system.  Pumped 11 gallons of O'fest into the Freezementer.  That's right,  NO MORE CARBOY LIFTING!  I put on freezer on wheels....best brew gadget to date.  Anyway, I noticed last night that both airlocks got some water sucked back into the fermenters.  Not sure why?  Too cold? This never happened in my old fridge.    Should I just leave the airlocks (3 piece) dry until fermentation starts or until it's almost complete for that matter?
-J.K.L.

[gmac]

What was the temp when you put it in the freezer?  I'm assuming as it cooled it shrunk in volume and sucked the water into the beer.  I use cheap vodka for that reason, at least it's clean.  I don't see why you wouldn't want to add more water now that the temperatures have stabilized. 

[denny]

I don't see a need to have liquid in them, really.  It's not like anything can get in.

[gmac]

Well, I'm certainly not gonna argue with Denny.

[denny]

Well, I'm certainly not gonna argue with Denny.

Oh, c'mon...it's fun and easy!   

[gmac]

Well, I'm certainly not gonna argue with Denny.

Oh, c'mon...it's fun and easy!   

No it's not!

[weithman5]

now that i am fermenting in 1 gallon plastic bottles, i have just started putting the cap on tight after the first few days of fermentation. then i just loosen it when the bottle feels hard and let it vent.  i usually have put vodka in the airlocks in the past but when i pick up a plastic bucket or the bottle it tends to suck the liquid in.  it is fun to hear the liquid bubble though

[denny]

Well, I'm certainly not gonna argue with Denny.

Oh, c'mon...it's fun and easy!   

No it's not!

THAT'S the response I was hoping for....cue Monty Python!

[JKL]

I don't see a need to have liquid in them, really.  It's not like anything can get in.

That's what I was thinking, I just wanted an expert opinion. It looks like I got it
-J.K.L.

[tschmidlin]

I don't see a need to have liquid in them, really.  It's not like anything can get in.

Time flies like an arrow.
Fruit flies like a banana (and fermenting wort).

They carry lots of microbes with them that will get in your beer.  I don't have any fruit flies at my house, they're not common in our climate this time of year.  But they can easily contaminate a batch.  Fill your airlock if your concerned about them or other bugs.

[Pinski]

I don't see a need to have liquid in them, really.  It's not like anything can get in.

Time flies like an arrow.
Fruit flies like a banana (and fermenting wort).

They carry lots of microbes with them that will get in your beer.  I don't have any fruit flies at my house, they're not common in our climate this time of year.  But they can easily contaminate a batch.  Fill your airlock if your concerned about them or other bugs.

+1  Why leave the door open?  Plus, they make bubbles.

[oscarvan]

Yes it shrank when it cooled and sucked the water in. Now refill with new water. Bubbles........

[gordonstrong]

Put a loose piece of saran wrap or aluminum foil over the top until the temperature of the beer and the surrounding environment equalize.  Then put the airlock on it.

[tschmidlin]

Or use an s-type airlock and just fill it enough to form a seal.  It can't get sucked back in, it will bubble in either direction.

[JKL]

The beer was 73F when it went into the carboys.  It took about 8 hrs to get to pitching temp.  For ales it should be half that I'm guessing?  The freezer itself is probably less than 20F.  I don't think any bugs can live in that kind of environment?  I think next time I'll go dry for the initial cooling stage then put the water when everything equalizes.  Thanks for the suggestions and the reasoning, guys!

-J.K.L.