Closed Fermentation?

[morry]

Hi guys,
I was chatting to an old guy the other day whos been brewing for years. He reckons he never uses an airlock with his brews. Instead, he just places a tea towel over the top and leaves it like that. Do any of you guys do this and what are the pros and cons of this?

Sean

 

[Guest Lurker]

I've done it a few times. Mostly when the fermenter is over full and it trys to climb out. A wet tea towel held on with a rubber band stops the ice cream in its tracks. And once when I picked up the fermenter lid and found something foul living behind the o ring that just wouldnt die. Didnt have any problems with any of those brews and it works. But usually Id rather use an airlock to minimise the chance of an infection.