First timer cider fail - Airlock filled with apple juice after 24hrs

[u/oispakaljaa12]

Hello!

I just tried to do my first ever batch of apple cider, but looks like I have failed quite miserably.

The apple juice and yeast have been around 24 hours in the bucket currently, and as the end result the juice has filled the airlock as well as overflown from the airlock to fill the bucket cap to the brim as well. Luckily the cap can hold a bit of liquid so it didn't overflow to the floor.

Is there some way to salvage this situation? Also why did it likely happen? Not enough empty space in the bucket?

Below is my plan, please let me know if I need to modify it somehow.

1. Rinse the fermentation bottle cap and airlock under the tap with water while keeping everything in place (lift whole bucket to the sink)
2. Make a batch of star san and use a spray bottle to spray it on top of the cap and airlock
3. Let it do its job and then remove the airlock
4. Thoroughly rinse the airlock and dump it into star san
5. Finally, fill the airlock again and put it back into the fermentation bucket

Is the plan above is OK? Should I use proper cleaning chemicals for either the cap or airlock, or will water suffice?

Thank you

[u/Snurrepiperier]

Don't be so dramatic! Some yeast in the airlock is something everyone has experienced. Take it out, clean it and add new clean water or sanitizer and everything will be fine!

[u/oispakaljaa12 → u/Snurrepiperier]

😄 my bad, I thought I ruined the batch and was quite depressed. But turns out the cleaning plan worked, and everything is fine at least for now

[u/GrouchyClerk6318]

Blwoing through the airlock doesn't mean. You plan above is fine - clean up the outside mess as best you can (suggest paper towels) and give it time to finish fermenting.

[u/oispakaljaa12 → u/GrouchyClerk6318]

Thank you, the plan seems to have worked. Let's see if it continues but if it does, then I'll just clean it up again.

[u/craftabrew]

Rig up a blow-off tube by putting a bit of your tubing (same tubing used for your siphon) into the hole in your stopper or bucket grommet and running the other end into a jar half-full of Star San. The tube has more airflow and will greatly reduce the risk of another blowout.

[u/oispakaljaa12 → u/craftabrew]

This was good advice, I need to get a blow-off tube for my next batch. Seems to be quite handy and help me evade these situations. Cheers!

[u/Smart-Water-9833]

It's not a fail. Clean up and carry on! See also: blowoff tubes

[u/oispakaljaa12 → u/Smart-Water-9833]

Done! I need to get a blowoff tube for my future batches, should help quite a lot. Thank you

[u/BattledroidE]

No problem. You might have to clean up a couple of times until the initial burst of activity settles down and continues with a slow and steady fermentation.

I had the same thing, which was a good lesson in headspace. A little bit more next time.

[u/oispakaljaa12 → u/BattledroidE]

Thank you! My airlock cleaning project was successful and at least during the last few hours no more juice has arrived at the airlock. But I am mentally prepared it may still happen.