Installing airlocks in buckets

[Mike Lachelt]

Hi all,

I'm fermenting in some white plastic buckets with lids.  I think the lids are "air tight," but wonder about how to be totally sure.  At any rate, I'd like to install airlocks.  Reading through earlier posts in this forum I gather there are two methods.  One involves using grommets, which I don't have but could go and buy.  The other is simpler and just involves measuring the top width and the bottom width of the bung, and cutting a hole sized in between these measurements.  I would use a drill with a hole bit.  Any suggestions about which method is best?  In either case, will I have to seal the edges of the bung or grommet (where it comes in contact with the lid), in order to create an air tight seal?  What sort of sealer would keep out air and also pose no risk of contaminating the cider?

Thanks for your help...I'm continually working on my handyman skills but I have a long, long way to go.

Mike 

    

[Brian Weatherman]

Buckets are not air tight .... they are fine for a primary ferment though .... the air (co2 from ferment) will come out of the lids seal regardless of whether you have a gasket or not .... for all effective sanitary purposes, it is essentially open fermentation .... just use the bung and airlock .... you can use new aluminum foil around the upper sides of the bucket and fold onto the lid for a tighter lid .... still not air tight but don't worry .... as long as fermentation pressure is positive, there should be no issues .... once it slows down, use a carboy.

-Brian Weatherman -San Mateo, CA

---

Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2014 10:09:39 -0700
From: mlac...@gmail.com
To: cider-w...@googlegroups.com
Subject: [Cider Workshop] Installing airlocks in buckets

--
--
Visit our website: http://www.ciderworkshop.com
 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the "Cider Workshop" Google Group.
By joining and posting to the Cider Workshop, you have agreed to abide by our rules, and principles. Please see http://www.ciderworkshop.com/resources_principles.html
 
To post to this group, send email to cider-w...@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cider-worksho...@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit http://groups.google.com/group/cider-workshop?hl=en

---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Cider Workshop" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cider-worksho...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

[Martin campling]

On Wednesday, September 10, 2014 6:16:58 PM UTC+1, bf...@hotmail.com wrote:

Buckets are not air tight .... they are fine for a primary ferment though .... the air (co2 from ferment) will come out of the lids seal regardless of whether you have a gasket or not .... for all effective sanitary purposes, it is essentially open fermentation .... just use the bung and airlock .... 

Some "buckets" are very airtight - I don't know what type you have, Mike - but they are not like open fermentation at all. The 33 litre ones I use have had cider in them for 6 months with no ill effect.

Drill a 12mm hole and use a grommet, but not the little black ones because the alcohol rots them and it can become difficult to extract the airlock afterwards.

Martin

[Mike Lachelt]

Thanks for the advice, guys!  

Mike 

--

--
Visit our website: http://www.ciderworkshop.com
 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the "Cider Workshop" Google Group.
By joining and posting to the Cider Workshop, you have agreed to abide by our rules, and principles. Please see http://www.ciderworkshop.com/resources_principles.html
 
To post to this group, send email to cider-w...@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cider-worksho...@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit http://groups.google.com/group/cider-workshop?hl=en

---

You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the Google Groups "Cider Workshop" group.
To unsubscribe from this topic, visit https://groups.google.com/d/topic/cider-workshop/KlDb4D9QMKU/unsubscribe.
To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to cider-worksho...@googlegroups.com.