[Hokerer]

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.

+1, that's how I do it

[denny]

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.

It would seem like if the airlock is sealed there isn't any more chance of fruit flies getting in than if it isn't. 

[Hokerer]

It would seem like if the airlock is sealed there isn't any more chance of fruit flies getting in than if it isn't. 

What do you mean by "sealed".  The liquid in the airlock is what seals it, right?  Without the liquid, the little fruit fly can just crawl through from the open air into the fermenter.

[tschmidlin]

Denny must be one of those rare brewers who does not immediately lose the lids to his airlocks.

[denny]

Denny must be one of those rare brewers who does not immediately lose the lids to his airlocks.

I was just gonna say "what about the lid to the airlock?"!  Guess I must be too organized since I have all the lids!

[bluesman]

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.

+1

...except I usually leave the airlock installed on the fermenter without water until the temp has equalized  (overnight) and then pour some starsan solution in the airlock the next day.

[speed]

i haven't used airlocks in years, just tinfoil. if i have one i think will blowoff then i use a blowoff tube otherwise....

[gmac]

i haven't used airlocks in years, just tinfoil. if i have one i think will blowoff then i use a blowoff tube otherwise....

I hope this method works.  I just pushed in my last rubber cork and the air lock popped right out.  So, while trying to get it back in, I succeeded in pushing the cork into the carboy.  So, tinfoil over the top it is until I free up another cork.

[punatic]

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

No ones knows the coefficient of thermal expansion for beer wort?   Some experts you guys are!   

Here in Hawaii we have gnats so small they can get through the pin holes in the bubbler caps on my airlocks.  I always fill my airlocks with vodka.  If you get the level right in the airlock, it will release a (disinfected) bubble before it can suck back into the fermenter.

Time flies like an arrow.
Fruit flies like a banana

Well said Tom.  I like it!

[tschmidlin]

Time flies like an arrow.
Fruit flies like a banana

Well said Tom.  I like it!

Glad you like it   It's not an original saying though, I can't take credit.

[punatic]

Time flies like an arrow.
Fruit flies like a banana

Well said Tom.  I like it!

Glad you like it   It's not an original saying though, I can't take credit.

My garden path sentences are usually along the lines of, "S**T! Where did all these weeds come from?!"   

[tumarkin]

not quite same-same, but....

You can tune a piano, but you can't tuna fish

[Hokerer]

Like "you can pick your friends" or "you can pick your nose" but  "you can't pick your friends' nose"

[punatic]

not quite same-same, but....

You can tune a piano, but you can't tuna fish

That would make a great title for an album!

[tom]

what's an album?