Description
PLAATO Valve V2 – stops suck-back from the airlock
Many homebrewers suddenly find empty airlocks, or water from the blow-off tube flowing into the fermenter. This is caused by temperature drops, which create negative pressure in the fermenter. It often happens when the fermenter is moved to a temperature-controlled room after pitching, or during cold crashing.
To equalise the negative pressure, the fermenter sucks in liquid from the airlock, or air, and in rare cases it can implode. The PLAATO Valve fits between the fermenter and the airlock and has an integrated valve that only opens under negative pressure. Air then bypasses the airlock and suck-back is avoided.
Features
- Made of food-grade PP with an integrated silicone valve
- Opens only under negative pressure in the fermenter
- Supplied with 16 activated carbon filters (65 PPI) for the inlet
- Fits most airlocks and fermenters
- Can be connected to a CO2 balloon for oxygen-free fermentation
Fitting tips
A useful trick is to fit the rubber grommet upside down in the fermenter, which makes it much easier to seat the PLAATO Valve.
Oxygen-free fermentation
Rapid temperature drops will always draw air or liquid into the fermenter. For an oxygen-free atmosphere, the headspace must be filled with CO2.
- During cold crashing, the oxygen in the headspace has already been replaced by CO2 from fermentation, so small amounts of oxygen are not a significant source of oxidation.
- If you still want fully oxygen-free fermentation, the PLAATO Valve can be connected to a balloon of CO2. The valve then lets in CO2 instead of air when the temperature drops.
Frequently asked questions about the PLAATO Valve
What is suck-back?
When the temperature in the fermenter drops, negative pressure builds up. The fermenter then sucks liquid from the airlock or blow-off tube into the beer. The PLAATO Valve lets air in past the airlock and prevents this.
When is the valve useful?
Especially when cold crashing, and when you move the fermenter to a colder room after pitching the yeast.
Will it fit my airlock?
It fits most airlocks and fermenters.
What are the carbon filters for?
The filters sit in the valve inlet. 16 activated carbon filters (65 PPI) are included.
Related
Betaling
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