Do-it-yourself water seal for fermentation: we understand what a water seal for wine is

The fermentation process is used in the preparation of kvass, wine, beer, and home brew for moonshine. It occurs with the participation of thermophilic yeast cultures, which decompose sugar into alcohol, water and carbon dioxide. In the case of drinks containing a small amount of alcohol (kvass, light cider), fermentation is necessary to obtain a characteristic taste and CO2, which carbonates the liquid. With alcoholic beverages, the alcohol and the resulting flavor composition are important. Most recipes for alcoholic beverages that require fermentation of raw materials contain a mention of a water seal.

This device does not allow air into the fermentation tank, releasing the resulting carbon dioxide out.

Water seal for fermentation

Options for water seals for making a house

Homemade water seal for wine from a glove

If the raw materials will ferment in a glass jar, an ordinary rubber glove can serve as a water seal, but not a household one, but a medical one: it stretches better.
We put a glove on the neck of the jar, secure it well with an elastic band and pierce one of the fingers. During fermentation, it will inflate with the gases released, and their excess will escape through the hole made.

Once fermentation stops, the glove will hang. By the way, the glove can be replaced with a balloon.

How to make your own wine water seal from a hose and a lid

Before learning how to properly make a water seal for wine, we buy a glass jar with a lid and a piece of hose. This design option is suitable for ordinary jars and bottles with a narrow neck. For a jar you will need a simple polyethylene lid, for a bottle - a rubber one.

We make a water seal as follows:

• We punch a hole in the lid according to the diameter of the hose, which should not be too small so that the hose does not become clogged with foam.
• We insert the hose into the hole and seal the area of ​​contact with the lid with plasticine or glue to prevent air from entering.
• We close the container with a lid with a piece of hose and seal the contact area between the lid and the jar (bottle) using tape or plasticine. The hose must not touch the wort.
• Place a jar of water at the same level as the container and immerse the end of the hose there. We secure it so that it is constantly in the water.

The main thing is that the water seal is airtight, only then will fermentation proceed correctly.

How to make a water seal for wine from a medical syringe

To begin with, we buy the following devices:

• A rubber band (you can use a piece of twine);
• A syringe of 10 ml and another one of slightly larger volume;
• IV.

To begin, remove the fittings from the syringes and throw them away, and cut off the tube from the dropper, leaving a piece 3 cm long.

What we do next:

• Using a needle, we tear off the filter located inside the dropper - it will not be useful.
• We insert a 10 ml syringe into the dropper, pointing the transparent hose inward. We position the second syringe so that both syringes are positioned like a jack, and fasten the structure with an elastic band. The small syringe collects carbon dioxide, the larger one contains water.
• We connect the noses of the syringes with a hose from the dropper, the length of which should be such that it does not break.

The water seal is ready, all that remains is to install it on the container and use it for its intended purpose.

How to make a water seal from a dropper

It will require a part of a dropper through which air is supplied to the bottle. To make this shutter yourself, follow the instructions:

• Close the jar (bottle) with a plastic cap (bark stopper).
• We make a hole in the cap (stopper) by piercing it with a needle from a dropper.
• Place the free end of the tube from the dropper into a bottle or jar of water.

Thanks to this design, carbon dioxide will easily escape from the container through the tube, and water will not allow air to penetrate inside the can (bottle). If the wort is fermenting, air bubbles will float in the jar of water; if it stops fermenting, they disappear.

Now you know how to make a water seal for wine with your own hands. All that remains is to buy a few simple “spare parts”, make a water seal and prepare aromatic wine.

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Glove: simple and reliable

The simplest shutter can be made from a rubber medical glove. This option is a suitable solution for containers (jars) with a wide neck. This is not quite a water seal, but it does the job just as well as more complex designs. The construction of such a gate does not require special skills or tools.

1. You will need a new glove (you should not use an old product, since the rubber loses its elasticity over time) and tape, which can be replaced with thread or an elastic band.

2. One finger of the glove is carefully pierced with a needle. Wine gas will escape through this small hole.
3. The prepared glove is placed on the neck of the vessel with the wine preparation. The glove is tightly secured to the neck using tape, covered with an elastic band or tied tightly with thread.

The disadvantages of such a valve include the fact that it is not recommended to install it on large-volume fermentation tanks (more than 20 liters). This is due to the fact that with such volumes the pressure of the wine gas inside the container will be high, so it is difficult to securely attach a medical glove to the bottle.

As a result of fermentation, the medical glove is filled with gas (inflated). The end of fermentation will be signaled by a fallen (deflated) glove.

How to make a water seal for mash with your own hands

There are several options, each of which is worth considering in detail.

Classic water seal

To make it you need a jar, a tube and a lid to close the container; sometimes it is imitated from a piece of plasticine.

You need to make a hole in the lid, insert a tube and seal the gap between them. To do this, you can use sealant, wax, plasticine or another similar product.

The second end is lowered into a jar filled with water and secured with electrical tape or string.

Important! If you use a tube of very small diameter, especially for a large container, it can become clogged with foam, so you should choose the diameter of the tube in accordance with the volume of the mash.

The main advantage of this design is the visibility of the completion of the fermentation process, which will be expressed in the disappearance of bubbles on the surface of the water.

This design can also be equipped with a gas outlet into the sewer or outside the window, which will eliminate the specific smell of fermentation. To do this, you need to make a lid on the jar of water, similar to the lid of the steamer. In this case, a jar is needed either with a thread for a lid, or a nylon lid for a regular jar; the ideal option is a steel lid with welded tubes.

Two holes are made, into one a tube is inserted through which carbon dioxide flows, it must be lowered under water, into the second - a tube through which the gas will be discharged to the selected location, both joints are sealed.

The big problem is to make a water seal for the mash on an aluminum flask, since there are only two options: either drill the lid, which will make it suitable for only one task, or make a replacement for it - a “stopper” made of wood - and drill a hole in it. To seal the seams around the circumference you will need a lot of plasticine.

Of course, you can cover the neck with thick polyethylene, secure it by wrapping it around the circumference with tape, and after making a hole in it, insert the tube. Then for sealing you will need liquid silicone or other sealant; plasticine will not work, and such a “lid” will have to be remade from time to time.

Glove

A very simple solution, which is not essentially a water seal, since a water plug is not used. An ordinary medical glove is pulled over the neck of the container. A small hole is made in one of the fingers to allow carbon dioxide to escape.

The point is that even after the first active days, when the gas begins to be released less intensely, there will still be enough of it to prevent oxygen from penetrating through the small hole inside.

At the beginning of fermentation, the glove swells strongly, over time it becomes weaker and weaker, and finally its fall indicates the complete completion of the gas evolution process.

Cotton plug

This is a last resort solution if a glove breaks or a jar breaks. The neck is plugged with tightly packed cotton wool or other porous material that allows carbon dioxide to pass through.

The effectiveness of this “design” decreases as the end of fermentation approaches and the release of carbon dioxide decreases, due to which oxygen begins to enter. Also, in this version, it is visually unclear at what stage the fermentation is.

From syringes

To do this, you will need two disposable plastic syringes, about 10-20 cubic meters each, depending on the volume of the container for the mash mass. The pistons are removed from them, and the bodies are tied to each other with electrical tape or adhesive tape with the noses facing inward.

One spout is connected to the other via a tube. All this must be done when one of the housings is already inserted into the lid that will close the container. Cutting a hole in the lid and sealing it with silicone or plasticine is not difficult. After the cap is placed on the neck, water is poured into the body of the upper syringe.

Containers for fermentation of mash

To prepare a good base for future moonshine, you need to have not only high-quality ingredients (yeast, sugar, etc.), but also an appropriate container, the volume of which should be quite large. In addition, you should also take into account the fact that the liquid inside will begin to ferment and release a lot of foam. Therefore, a barrel for fermentation must be chosen 30% larger in volume.

The type of material also affects the quality of the wort. You can buy a special container for making mash at a hardware store. Such containers are equipped with a special device, that is, a water seal. You can also use regular stainless steel cookware.

Choosing a fermentation container with a water seal is not an easy task, although at first glance it seems that nothing is simpler. The main thing here is to understand how microorganisms convert sweet mash into alcohol, and in general, what kind of reactions occur under the lid. The process of preparing almost any alcoholic drink involves fermentation, which occurs in a special flask. It can be made of different materials, vary in volume, and also have additional devices, for example, a water seal.

The following types of containers can be used for fermentation:

• homemade design options using improvised means;
• purchased models with an additional element that is attached to a special tank or is already built into the container.

In the first case, strict adherence to the rules of assembly and operation is necessary, otherwise the process of proper and complete fermentation will be disrupted.

The main requirement for water is its suitability for drinking. Also, the fermentation process may be delayed due to the use of too hard water. Water for mash should not be boiled, since in this case it loses the oxygen necessary for the vital activity of yeast. It is not recommended to prepare wort from very soft or distilled liquid, since it lacks the microelements necessary for yeast - this can slow down or hinder its development.

Purchased

Purchased water seals are more compact in appearance. There is no whole system of tubes, hoses, cans and other devices. The most obvious advantage is that there is no need for assembly. Structurally, there are 2 types of factory hydraulic valves:

• Double-chamber: a monolithic water seal consisting of two sections containing water. Made of thick-walled food grade plastic. Has a cone-shaped silhouette. The tightness of the connection is achieved by a sealing plug. Other names: coil, fermentation pile.
• Three-chamber: a collapsible glass made of three parts. One of the chambers is filled with water to the required level.

The choice of water seal designs is large enough for everyone to be able to find a suitable type and not have to wonder whether a water seal is needed.

Wine magazine

In the store you can see several types of water seals, differing from each other in price, appearance and quality.

1. The cheapest purchase will be a lid with a hole and a hose attached inside. The disadvantage of this design is the loud gurgling noise during fermentation and the unpleasant odor.
2. Within two hundred rubles you can buy an S-shaped water seal. The main disadvantage occurs during strong fermentation, when pressure pushes water out.
3. One of the best is considered to be a glass-type shutter. It is silent, does not transmit any unpleasant odor during fermentation, and the water in it almost does not evaporate. The price ranges from 200 to 600 rubles.

If you set a goal, then most of the water seals offered in the store can be made yourself, while saving the family budget.

How to make a gate for mash with your own hands?

A simple mechanism allows you to make a water seal for mash with your own hands at home practically out of nothing. The price of such a mechanism can be reduced to zero. The only thing that should not be forgotten is the tightness of the structure. You can seal the joints with silicone aquarium glue, plasticine, or epoxy. Many brewers recommend using dough for this purpose. But there is a problem with the dough: when it dries, it can crack, which will allow air to enter the mash. For sealing, only environmentally friendly, health-safe materials should be used.

Water seal from a glove

Many people are familiar with this type of closure from childhood, when during the summer season there were such funny gloves on the bottles. For this species, which cannot quite be called aquatic due to the lack of water, an ordinary medical glove is used. This type of water seal is the most common among people. To operate it, a glove with a strong fixation at the base is put on the neck of the fermentation tank. You can fix it with electrical tape or an elastic band. A needle is used to make holes in one or more fingers through which carbon dioxide will leave the container and oxygen will not be able to penetrate.

If a bottle of less than 15 liters and a large neck diameter is used as a fermentation container, this method will be very convenient to use. It’s also good that the fermentation process proceeds clearly, because during the active release of carbon, the glove inflates. It falls off at the time when fermentation comes to an end and you can move on to distillation.

Water seal from a glove

Cotton plug

A water seal made of cotton wool is the simplest and “lazy” method, which should be used only if there is absolutely no possibility of using other materials. In this case, a thick cotton plug is inserted into the neck of the fermentation container. This method does not exclude oxygen from entering the container, and there is only one way to visually monitor the end of the fermentation process - bring a lit match to the neck. If the match burns, it means that fermentation is over; if it goes out, then this means that carbon dioxide is still being released. This is a very conditional method of verification, although it is better than nothing. The only positive aspect of this type of water seal is its sterility.

With odor removal

Making an odor removal system is very simple. To do this, you will need a jar of water and two pieces of flexible tube or thin hose. The jar of water is closed with a lid in which two holes are made to fit the diameter of the tube. In the first section, one end is inserted into the fermentation container, and the second is pulled through the hole in the lid of the jar and immersed in water. You need to insert another piece into the second hole without lowering its end into the water. The free end of the hose coming out of the can is led to the upper part of the sewer pipe, to the ventilation or directly to the street.

From syringes

To create such a shutter, remove the fittings from two syringes. Both tools are connected to each other with an elastic band or tape, their noses should point in different directions. The hose from the dropper must be used to connect the nozzles of the syringes so that no kinks or kinks are formed. The tool, which faces upward, is hermetically attached to the neck of the fermentation container. The second one collects water.

Although many people refuse to use a water seal in their production, its benefits and benefits remain obvious. Beginners are recommended to master moonshine making using a water seal system, since it is simple, reliable, and does not require the investment of significant funds and effort. At the same time, it can save a large volume of product from souring at the initial stage of preparation.

The simplest cotton wool shutter

Another option is to use plugs made of porous materials (for example, cotton wool), which freely allow carbon dioxide to pass through.

Such a water seal can only be used on a suley or other vessel with a narrow neck.

The cork can protect the fermenting liquid from contact with air only at the initial stage (during rapid fermentation). Over time, the pressure in the suley drops, and air begins to penetrate inside. Another disadvantage of such shutters is that it is difficult to determine the end of fermentation. A cotton seal can be used as a temporary measure if the wine material has fermented and there is no more reliable device. And also if the design of the neck of the fermentation tank is such that it does not allow the installation of a more complex closure device.

Some non-standard options

When listing the following methods, the saying involuntarily comes to mind that “the need for invention is cunning.” What exceptionally inventive master winemakers will go to!

• use a regular valve with a ball from a vodka bottle;
• adapt nipples from bicycle inner tubes complete with soft thin capillary hoses;
• put an inflatable children's balloon on a bottle of wort and poke a hole in it;
• Insert cocktail tubes and juice straws into the hole in the lid.

To make the connections airtight, you can drip them with wax, paraffin, use pieces of plasticine or

Whatever water seal is used in the distillation of homemade drinks, you need to remember the importance of a tightly fitting lid, the gas pressure in the container with fermenting wort, and the aging time of the finished wine

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Homemade water seal designs

This design allows you to determine as accurately as possible that the fermentation of wine must or mash is complete. This will be indicated by the absence of bubbles in the water. Thus, the device also serves as a kind of indicator.

When fermentation is activated, the glove inflates and deflates when the process is completed.

The disadvantages of this design include the fact that it is very difficult to control the reliability of the fastening. If the gas pressure increases beyond what the holes allow, the glove may simply tear. In addition, with this method of sealing, the unpleasant smell of mash will spread throughout the room.

A cotton plug is not the most popular option, but is still used by some moonshiners. The operating principle is based on the hygroscopicity of cotton wool. A cotton plug allows carbon dioxide to escape, but does not provide a complete seal. Therefore, the use of such a system for winemaking is not suitable. In addition, with such a water seal it is difficult to determine when fermentation has already ended. A cotton plug can be used if for some reason it is not possible to use another water seal.

In addition to the popular homemade water seals, which we have already reviewed, there are also non-standard solutions. For example, the glove can be replaced with a regular children's inflatable ball. Some craftsmen adapt bicycle nipples with the supplied hoses. Even cocktail straws can be inserted into the hole in the lid.

Regardless of which water seal will be used, it is important to monitor the pressure in the fermentation tank, the tightness of the water seal and the holding time of the fermentation wort. Found a mistake? Select it and press Shift + Enter or

Found a mistake? Select it and press Shift + Enter or

Guidelines for choosing a water seal

If you are installing or replacing plumbing fixtures (bathtub, sink or toilet), you will definitely need a siphon.

To select a device that fully complies with plumbing, it is necessary to take into account a number of factors, including:

• dimensions of the assembled device;
• siphon type;
• the material from which the pipes and fasteners are made;
• number of drains or additional connections;
• protection against blockages;
• diameter of inlet and outlet;
• presence or absence of overflow.

Let’s assume that for a kitchen sink, the most suitable option is a bottle model that traps food particles. You can also use a knee device, but then all the waste will flow into the sewer pipe, and over time there is a risk of blockage.

For both sinks and bathtubs, models with an overflow are considered more effective, preventing room flooding. The recommended material is polypropylene, but for finishing the external parts it is better to buy models with chrome parts

If the project involves installing a sink or washbasin with two sinks, a device with two drain points will be useful. Its operating principle is the same, the only difference is in the design.

Before purchasing, be sure to measure the size of the space where the installation will take place. It happens that the siphon simply does not fit in the allotted space (this is especially true for the close gap between the bathroom and the floor). If you choose the right water seal, there will be much fewer problems with its installation and repair.

If the water seal from the siphon is pulled into the sewer, the system is modernized by installing a vacuum valve:

The simplest water seal diagram

The diagram below shows the principle of operation of the simplest water seal, which consists of a tube lowered into a container of water.

Water seal device

During fermentation, carbon dioxide is released, which creates pressure inside the fermentation tank. It goes through a tube into the water, from which it enters the environment in bubbles. At the same time, air from the external environment does not enter the fermentation tank, since water prevents its passage.

This principle allows the mash to calmly “play” and process sugar into alcohol, reducing the risk of souring and spoilage.

Which water seal to choose?

The main point in choosing the water seal used is the volume of production and personal preferences for the level of comfort for the moonshiner. With large production volumes, not many people will want to use homemade valves with a bunch of tubes that create a messy effect. Such people can be advised to buy a simple water seal that will meet their needs. If there is no opportunity or desire to buy it, then in this case you can easily make a home analogue, which will be no worse than an industrial one.

Industrial water seals

1. Two-chamber. This option consists of two chambers connected in series with each other by a curved tube. Water is poured into the chambers, and one end of the tube is inserted into the neck of the fermentation container, and the other releases carbon dioxide into the air. An elastic band is usually put on the end inserted into the neck for a tighter fit. After using the rubber for some time, you should carefully examine whether cracks have appeared, which may appear when the rubber dries and let air into the mash.
2. Collapsible. This shutter consists of two chambers inserted into each other. The advantage of this type over the two-chamber one is only in the small size of the structure.

Water seal built into the container

The built-in water seal helps to significantly simplify the process of preparing mash, and also makes it easier to control fermentation. The fermentation tank on which the system is installed has a sealed hatch, and the shutter itself is located in a convenient place. Among the advantages of this design are the possibility of reusable use, convenient location, reliability, safety, and practicality.

Jar with built-in water seal

Fermentation tanks have gained great popularity among producers of homemade alcoholic beverages due to their ergonomics, and eliminating the need to buy or make a separate water seal greatly saves time. Another indisputable advantage is the guarantee of tightness of all connections, which is the most important condition for high-quality fermentation.

Containers with built-in water seals have different sizes and shapes, and are made of chemically neutral materials, for example, stainless steel, food-grade aluminum, glass and special plastics.

What yeast to use for cooking

This issue should be taken very seriously. Experienced moonshiners recommend using the following types of yeast:

Dry yeast. Among the proven, well-proven ones, SAF-LEVUR can be distinguished. To prepare mash, compressed baker's yeast is often used, which has also shown excellent results. Special yeast for alcohol

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If you can get your hands on them, that would be ideal. Fast dry yeast (for example, saf-moment) should be used with great caution, since it often does not ferment and produces a low percentage of alcohol in the mash.

If the mash produces a lot of foam, you can use the popular advice: pour crushed cookies into the fermentation container or pour out a packet of instant baker's yeast, which for some reason can extinguish the foam.

How to do it yourself

In fact, making a water seal with your own hands is not at all difficult.

And many saw the simplest device in childhood with their grandparents who made homemade wine.

Let's look at the basic home structures.

Classical

For it you will need:

• cork (wooden, rubber) or nylon lid for jars;
• a thin tube of sufficient length made of silicone, rubber, PVC, etc.;
• sealant for treating the junction of the tube and the plug. Previously, it was ordinary plasticine, today it can be a sealant for plumbing work;
• liter jar;
• a piece of tape.

Make a hole in the cork (lid) corresponding to the tube and insert it so that it goes inside a couple of centimeters.

Carefully coat the joint with plasticine or sealant so that outside air cannot penetrate into the container with mash or wine.

Attention. Do not use dough to seal the joint. It will gradually dry out and form through cracks.

Gradually it will dry out and form through cracks.

Place a tube on the container with the mash, lower the other end into a jar of water and secure the tube to the jar with tape so that it does not accidentally jump out.

Medical glove

The glove copes with the task no worse than a water seal - preventing ambient air with oxygen and bacteria from entering the fermentation tank. Place the glove on the neck of the bottle and be sure to secure it with a money rubber band or string, otherwise during violent fermentation, when the glove is inflated, it will simply be blown off the bottle.

Use a needle to pierce a hole in one of your fingers to allow the carbon dioxide to escape. You need to watch: if the mash is bubbling, the glove can be greatly inflated, even to the point of breaking. In this case, make one or two more punctures.

Reference. Compared to medical gloves, thin household gloves such as Freken bok are more reliable.

Medical ones today are made truly disposable; they are even prone to decomposition under the influence of carbon dioxide.

Cotton plug

Someone simply stuffs the narrow neck of the bottle loosely with cotton wool. It is believed that in this way carbon dioxide will escape, but oxygen will not penetrate into the wort. This will be the case as long as rapid fermentation continues - carbon dioxide does not let air in from the outside.

But when fermentation stops, the way for oxygen is open. Let's classify this method as unreliable.

"Quiet" water seal

Sometimes the gurgling sound that invariably accompanies a classic water seal is annoying. But using the same principle, you can make a quiet and economical device.

Attach a piece of tube (30 centimeters) tightly to the cork or lid and make a loop out of it, bringing the end of the tube up. Pour a little water into the tube. The device operates completely silently.

From a syringe and dropper

You will need an IV tube with a plastic adapter and a syringe. The simplest water seal structure is done like this:

• drill a 4 mm hole in the lid (plug);
• insert the adapter from the dropper with the attached tube into it;
• Insert the body of a disposable syringe for 10-15 cubes into the tube with the spout;
• Place the cap on the bottle. In this case, the tube should go down and then rise;
• tape the syringe (open side up) to the bottle with tape;
• pour water into the syringe.

Such a water seal will already work, but you can slightly improve the design by taking not one, but two syringes for 10 and 15 cubes. In this option, water will be in the larger syringe, and carbon dioxide will collect in the smaller one.

Only a dropper can be used. It will be almost a classic design. Using a dropper needle, pierce the lid of the fermentation container. Place the tube in a jar of water. Nothing needs to be drilled and sealed.

You can also build a homemade water seal in a matter of minutes, which will work no worse than a purchased one:

• Make a 5 mm hole in the bottle cap and trim the edges.
• Twist the tube, making a ring at the top chamber of the dropper (remove the filter from the chamber).
• Cut off the excess tube.
• Insert the syringe nozzle into the tube.
• Connect the dropper chamber to the syringe with tape or tape so that the syringe is above the chamber with the open part facing up.
• Insert the dropper needle into the hole made in the stopper of the bottle.
• Fill the syringe with water.
• Cut off the seal from the syringe plunger.
• Lower the cut plunger into the syringe. This technique will protect the water from evaporation (a little of it can still fit into the syringe).

This water seal, assembled in 5 minutes, also works quietly, which is an additional advantage.

See:

Volume of mash container

It is necessary to take a large container for the mash, because the liquid that will be in it should fill it no more than 30%. As a rule, a container of 10, 20 or even 30 liters is used for these purposes. You can, of course, use a small container, but it can be used for preparing drinking alcohol; it is definitely not enough to prepare strong alcohol. It is best to use a container with a wide neck, because it is much more convenient to wash and dry the container.

Experienced moonshiners and winemakers use special large containers, the volume of which ranges from 30 liters to 500 liters. It is impossible to transport such containers, so they are equipped with everything necessary, i.e., a water seal, a tap, etc.

Another equally important component is tightness. The fermentation process is anaerobic, it does not tolerate the presence of oxygen

That is why it is necessary to always maintain tightness.

How to make a water seal with your own hands: popular methods of making a device

A water seal is a simple device that is easy to make yourself. The most common methods are described below.

Classic version

To make a device for removing carbon dioxide in the classical way, you will need the following materials:

• jar;
• lid;
• flexible tube,
• material for sealing (wax, paraffin, plasticine or silicone glue).

The procedure is as follows:

1. Make a hole in the lid that is the same size as the diameter of the tube.
2. Insert the tube and seal its insertion site.
3. Close the fermentation tank with a structure, and place the free end of the tube in a jar of water.

The advantage of this design is that it is a kind of indicator with which you can determine that fermentation is complete. This will be indicated by the absence of bubbles in the jar of water.

You can make a water seal yourself from a flexible tube and sealing material.

Water seal with outlet

The fermentation process is accompanied by an unpleasant odor. To get rid of this problem, you need to slightly improve the classic version of the water seal and make it with a drain.

This can be done as follows:

1. Fill a glass jar 1/3 full with water.
2. Punch two holes in the lid.
3. In the first, install the hose that comes out of the fermentation tank and place it in the water.
4. Take the tube out of the second hole and take its end into the sewer pipe. Thus, the unpleasant odor will not penetrate into the room.

When using this design, you must ensure that the second hose does not touch the water in the jar.

Cotton plug

To create a seal you will need sterile medical cotton wool. It must be compacted tightly into the neck of the tank so that there is no free space left.

Such a simple device will allow carbon dioxide to escape without allowing oxygen to enter. However, a cotton plug cannot be called completely sealed.

The water seal can be made from ordinary medical cotton wool.

Another disadvantage of this method is that when using it it is very difficult to determine the end of the fermentation process. For this reason, cotton wool is used only as a last resort, in the absence of other options.

Device for removing gas from a rubber glove

This design cannot be called a water seal in the full sense of the word, because water is not used. However, this method is very popular.

To work you will need:

• thick rubber glove;
• electrical tape or rubber band;
• thin needle.

The glove is placed over the neck of the container, secured with electrical tape or an elastic band, and several punctures are made with a needle.

Water seal from a dropper

To make a water seal from this medical device, you will also need a plastic lid and a jar of water.

To make a water seal, you can use a dropper system.

You need to do the following:

1. Close the fermentation tank tightly with the lid.
2. Insert the needle from the dropper on top.
3. Place the tube in a container of water.

The end of fermentation can be seen in the same way as when using a classic water seal. If the water in the jar has stopped bubbling and gurgling, the process is complete.

Device consisting of a dropper and syringes

This water seal is an improved version of the previous one.

In order to make this device, you will need the following materials:

• dropper;
• 10 and 15 ml syringes;
• twine, rubber band or tape for fixation.

The water seal must be assembled in the following order:

1. Remove the needles from the syringes, cut a piece 3 cm long from the dropper hose, and remove the internal filter.
2. Insert a syringe of a smaller volume into the dropper with the “nose” down.
3. Connect the second syringe to the first, but in the opposite direction, with the “nose” up, and secure with twine, rubber band or tape.
4. Connect the “nozzles” of the syringes using a cut piece of tube, avoiding the appearance of creases or kinks.
5. A large syringe will need to be filled with water, while a smaller one will collect carbon dioxide.

As is clear from the above, it is not difficult to make a water seal with your own hands using any of these methods; even a beginner can handle it.

This video shows a detailed process of making a water seal using improvised materials at home.

A little theory

In order for the process of making homemade wine to be stable and meet all technological standards, a special device is needed - a water seal (water seal).

Of course, such a device can be bought in a store, since there is a wide range of water seals of various designs on the market. Or you can make this device, which is so necessary in winemaking, with your own hands.

A water seal for wine can be quickly made from available materials. Craftsmen offer different options for water seals that do an excellent job and are easy to use. Most homemade devices are not only simple, but also very cheap.

A water seal is a valve that allows wine gas to escape and is a reliable barrier to the penetration of air into the fermentation tank.

It is believed that when fermenting red (on the pulp), a water seal does not need to be used, since the mixture must “breathe”. But the wine preparation on the pulp oxidizes in the same way as on pure juice. During the period of rapid fermentation, heavy carbon dioxide prevents the penetration of oxygen into the wine preparation; the wine cap, which is formed during fermentation on the pulp, is regularly stirred. At the same time, it is very important not to miss the moment when the time comes to squeeze out the pulp and place the resulting wort under the water seal.

What it is?

The fermentation process is carried out thanks to the vital activity of yeast. These active microorganisms, feeding on sugar, produce alcohol and carbon dioxide as a byproduct. Our task is to preserve the alcohol and get rid of carbon dioxide.

If you simply open the fermentation container, the gas will of course evaporate, but oxygen will enter the mash. It will become a catalyst for temporarily inactive bacteria inhabiting the mash. By reacting with oxygen, they convert the alcohol into acetic acid. To prevent souring, it is customary to close the mash tightly. But the amount of gas released is so great that the bottle will explode under its pressure already at the beginning of fermentation. That's what a water seal is used for.

The operating principle and name were borrowed from plumbing siphons. Initially, a water seal is a system of tubes (hoses, containers), the cross-section of which at the outlet is completely blocked by water. In this case, the water barrier does not prevent gas from escaping from the mash, but does not allow oxygen to enter. The already simple design is constantly modernized by experienced moonshiners. Therefore, a great variety of types of homemade water seals for homemade wine and mash have appeared. By the way, using water is not always necessary.

Why do you need a water seal when fermenting wine?

When producing ethyl alcohol from sugar, a large amount of carbon dioxide is released. Concentrating in a closed container, it leads to a gradual increase in pressure inside, which can lead to an explosion. To prevent undesirable consequences, the gas must be vented, but this problem cannot be solved by simply opening the tank.

While the tank is closed, the bacteria contained in the wort are in an inactive state. However, when exposed to oxygen, they quickly multiply and form acetic acid from alcohol. In this case, it is not homemade wine that is prepared, but a light liquid that is unsuitable for further consumption.

The device removes carbon dioxide from the tank and prevents oxygen from entering inside. In addition, with the help of this device you can control the fermentation and level of readiness of the wine in the tank.

Types of ready-made water seals

The water seal can be easily purchased at specialized sales points or ordered from an online store.

These devices can have different designs, as a rule, they come in two types:

• Collapsible. The device consists of two flasks inserted into one another. The advantage of this design is its small size and ease of use.
• Two-chamber. In essence, such water seals are curved tubes with compartments connected in series into which water should be poured. An elastic band is attached to one end of the tube; it acts as a seal. At the same time, you need to monitor its condition, since it dries out over time, and replace it in time.

A water seal can be purchased at a specialty store.
On a note. The cost of water seals ranges from 100 to 300 rubles, and almost everyone can afford such a purchase. Therefore, if you do not want to spend time creating a design with your own hands, it is better to purchase a ready-made model.

Characteristic features of the overflow system

Another type of product is a hydraulic siphon with a water seal for a sink or sink, equipped with an overflow system. The device is equipped with an additional pipe, which eliminates the possibility of flooding of the apartment if it is impossible for water to drain into the sewer. This pipe is inserted into a hole specially created for it, which is located in the upper part of the sink or sink.

Hydraulic valves with an overflow system are made of plastic or metal. Plastic products have a lower cost and are very flexible. Brass-bronze siphons are characterized by strength, durability, complexity of installation and high cost.

The water seal for a sink or sink is equipped with an overflow system - an additional pipe, thanks to which the possibility of flooding of the apartment is eliminated

At the first stage, the floor in the shower or bath room is raised, which should have some slope towards the drain, which will facilitate the spontaneous drainage of water from the horizontal surface.

The sewer drain is installed according to the instructions - thermal insulation, waterproofing, cement screed and floor tiles are laid on the floor

The sewer drain is installed according to the instructions that come with the device. A heat-insulating material is laid on the floor surface, which simultaneously acts as sound insulation, which facilitates the quiet drainage of water from the plumbing fixture into the sewer system. Expanded polystyrene is suitable for this. Then a layer of waterproofing is laid. To do this, you can use rolled material with a membrane structure or a coating mixture.

Making a device from improvised materials

Making a water seal yourself is not difficult; it does not require expensive tools and materials - you just need to choose the most suitable model for the given situation. There are several popular designs whose effectiveness has been tested by time.

Classical

The most common design, characterized by simplicity and reliability.

To make it you will need:

• cap or stopper,
• flexible tube,
• glass jar with a capacity of 0.5 l.

Manufacturing process:

1. A hole is made in the center of the lid to match the diameter of the tube.
2. The tube is inserted into the hole.
3. The joint is sealed with plasticine, wax or silicone glue.
4. The lid with the tube is placed on the container with the mash.
5. The second end of the tube is lowered into a jar of water so that it does not rest against the bottom.

The disadvantage of this device is the possibility of an unpleasant odor appearing in the room. This problem can be solved by putting a lid with two holes on the jar. A tube from the fermentation tank is inserted into one and lowered into the water. Another tube is passed into the second hole so that its end is above the water level. The free end is discharged to a window or sewer, thereby ensuring the removal of carbon dioxide outside the room.

For a classic water seal, it is advisable to use a silicone tube - when in contact with alcohol-containing liquids, it does not change its characteristics and does not emit an odor. The easiest option is to purchase a dropper at the pharmacy. It has a rubber tip at the end, which does not require sealing when installed in the lid hole.

Medical glove

The fastest and most affordable option, but not the most successful.

This method is mainly used by women, since making a water seal from a glove does not require any male skills:

1. The glove is put on a container with mash and tied at the base with a strong thread.
2. Punctures are made in one or more fingers with a sewing needle to allow gas to escape.
3. The carbon dioxide released will inflate the glove. When the fermentation process is over, it will deflate and hang on the container.

The medical glove is suitable for use on wide-necked containers. It copes with the task no worse than more complex water seals, but it is advisable to use it on containers less than 20 liters - a large volume of gas released will simply burst it. Another drawback is the unpleasant smell of mash in the room, and nothing can be done about it.

Cotton plug

To block the access of oxygen to the mash, the neck of the container is plugged with a piece of cotton wool or other porous material. Not a very reliable method, but for use in emergency cases when there are no other materials at hand, it is quite suitable.

The structure of the wool allows carbon dioxide to escape, but does not provide complete tightness. Especially when the intensity of fermentation drops and the gas pressure decreases, at this moment oxygen gradually begins to penetrate into the bottle. The disadvantage of using cotton wool is also the inability to visually determine the degree of readiness of the mash and the unpleasant odor in the room.

"Quiet"

When using a classic water seal, the release of gases is accompanied by gurgling sounds. During the day it is practically not noticeable, but at night it causes irritation for some people.

You can make a silent water seal from a transparent silicone tube with a diameter of 12-14 mm and a length of 40-60 cm:

1. One end of the tube is inserted into the hole in the bottle cap and sealed with a plastic material.
2. The tube is folded so that a loop is formed on it, and the other end sticks up and is fixed with tape.
3. A small amount of water is poured into the tube, which forms a water seal in the loop.

The carbon dioxide will pass through the water loop in small bubbles without making any sound. The disadvantage of this method is the evaporation and splashing of liquid during strong fermentation. To eliminate it, a cap is inserted into the free end of the tube, which allows gas to pass through but retains liquid.

From a syringe and dropper

To make such a water seal it will take literally 5 minutes. and minimum materials:

• 2 syringes of 10 ml and 50 ml,
• drip,
• tape or rubber band.

Manufacturing process:

1. The fittings are removed from the syringes.
2. A syringe of a smaller volume is hermetically sealed with the spout facing up in the hole in the lid of the fermentation tank.
3. The second syringe is secured to it with tape or an elastic band, with the spout down.
4. A tube of the required length is cut from the dropper and the internal filter is removed.
5. Connect the nozzles of the syringes with a tube so that there are no kinks on it.

The result is a design in which a small syringe serves to collect gas, and a second one filled with water prevents oxygen from entering the bottle.

Normal development of yeast in mash

If the yeast in the mash feeds only on sugar, it will not feel very comfortable and will not work well. In addition to sweets and water, they need minerals. Without them, the fermentation process is also possible, however, a large amount of harmful impurities is released, so it is recommended to feed the sugar mash. Yeast mainly needs elements such as phosphorus and nitrogen. Therefore, ideally, for every kilogram of granulated sugar, you need to add 3-4 g of superphosphate and 1.5-2 g of ammonium sulfate. Instead, you can put complex mineral fertilizer (1 teaspoon), such as nitrophoska, in the mash.

But you can do without chemical additives by using some food products that contain the necessary elements. For example, you can add crushed berries or fruits or freshly prepared fruit juice to the mash. Bread (preferably black) or crackers also give a good effect. In addition, to feed the yeast, you can use well-boiled grain raw materials in the proportion of 0.5−1 kg/10−15 liters of mash.

Do not use tomato paste for these purposes, as some specific manuals recommend. This method was used in the 70s of the last century, when all kinds of thickeners, dyes, emulsifiers, stabilizers, but most importantly, preservatives that inhibit the growth of yeast were added to the paste. The same applies to many factory-made canned fruits.