how to cover?

[hong]

just got a brown ale kit and a lager kit. all seems pretty straight forward, just wasn`t too sure on how to cover once everything goes in to plastic bin. what do you reckon? instructions just says to cover, shall i ,
1. just snap the plastic lid on?
2. cover it loosely so lid is just resting on?
3. use a clean towel?
4. use lid AND tea towel over lid?

oh! and do i use an airlock?

sorry if these questions are silly. first timer here!

[Reaper]

Hi Hong

cover loosley with the lid, the carbon dioxide will form a blanket over the beer protecting it from the air, when the hydrometer reading is about 1010 i like to transfer mine into a secondary fermentation bin with a sealed lid and an an air lock. This is left for about 2 weeks to finish fermenting out and clear, then its bottled or put into a keg, left for 3 weeks then drink.

regards Paul

[Daft as a Brush]

Lagers are a little different to ale, to produce a proper lager can involve quite a lot a faffing around but the single most important factor is time no matter how its made. Allow 1 month in the bottle at least to mature although I make mine in late summer for Christmas.

[hong]

cheers lads,

[Jeff D]

I always use the lid with an air lock. Beer gets the nasties much more easley than wine.

Jeff