Fermentation accessories – airlocks, stoppers, spunding valves and yeast starters
This is the small equipment that keeps fermentation safe: airlocks and silicone stoppers that keep oxygen and bacteria out, spunding valves and pressure relief valves for pressure fermentation, auto-siphons and filters for transfers, and gear for oxygenation and yeast starters. You will also find taps, lids and gaskets for the most common fermenters.
Choosing an airlock and stopper
Airlock: The classic S-shaped airlock with cap fits a rubber grommet in the lid. The Compact Mini airlock (for vessels up to 30 litres) and Compact Medium (up to 60 litres) are lower and suit tight spaces, such as a fridge.
Stopper: Silicone stoppers range from D14–18 to D47–55. The numbers show the opening each stopper fits. The D29–35 silicone stopper fits the 5 litre glass carboy, and D47–55 fits the 23 litre PET fermenter.
Pressure fermentation
The Spundy Compact Spunding Valve from Keg King holds the tank at the pressure you set, both during fermentation and for closed transfers between tank and keg. A cheaper option is a fixed pressure relief valve (PRV) at 10 psi (0.7 bar) or 15 psi (1 bar). The SPUNDit 3.0 Jellyfish from Homebrewer LAB is an adjustable spunding valve.
Transfers and filtering
The Fermtech auto-siphon starts a transfer from the fermenter with one pump stroke and comes in Regular and Mini. The BrewSSSiphon is a stainless steel auto-siphon. The Bouncer Inline Beer Filter removes trub, hops and proteins during transfer, and the BouncerMD is the bigger version for larger batches.
Oxygenation and yeast starters
Yeast needs oxygen at the start of fermentation. For oxygenation there is food-grade oxygen in a 1 litre cylinder, the Oxyturbo Minor O2 regulator and a 0.5 micron oxygenation stone. For yeast starters we stock Erlenmeyer flasks of 250, 500 and 2000 ml, stir bars for magnetic stirrers and borosilicate lab bottles.
Fermentation accessories FAQ
Which silicone stopper fits my fermenter?
Measure the inner diameter of the opening. Pick a stopper whose range has your opening in the middle, for example D29–35 for an opening of about 32 mm.
Do I need an airlock?
Yes. The airlock lets CO2 out and stops oxygen and contaminants getting in. On pressure fermenters a spunding valve or pressure relief valve is used instead.
What is a spunding valve?
A spunding valve is an adjustable valve that releases gas when the pressure in the tank exceeds your setting. It is used for pressure fermentation and for transfers between tank and keg.
Why make a yeast starter?
A starter grows the yeast before brew day, so you pitch more healthy cells. That gives a faster and safer start, especially for strong beers and lagers.
