Fermenting Bucket Lid

Is there some trick or tool for removing the lid on the fermenting bucket? Mine is near impossible to pull of with fingers alone.

Yep.

http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/bucket-opening-tool.html

I finally bought one after I got my first 7.9 gallon bucket. I can remove the 6.5 gallon lids no problem, but this tool comes in handy for the bigger bukets.

Yep - there is a bucket lid removal tool. About $2 at Lowes.

lid remover tool like this
http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1345085&cagpspn=pla
available at any hardware store

Yeah, there is a lid remover you can buy. They sell them at most HBS's, local and online. I just use both thumbs under the rim of the lid to get it started and then pull it off. It can be quite a pain with new, tight lids though.

I've got the most inexpensive suggestion yet. Don't snap the lid down, just set it on top. I've done this for the last 18 batches or so, and not a single problem yet. No more fooling with the stupid airlock either, just not needed at all.

I know, kinda radical, but give it some consideration. After all, in all the history of human brewing, air locks and sealed fermenters are the latecomers to the party.

I agree with mt rob as long as you don't have curious children/animals in your home. Or if you do then you have some other method of securing the fermenter from them.

I've been using the Cooper's DIY fermenter for just about a year (~10 batches thru it) with no problems and the lid just sits on there, no airlock.

Another suggestion could be to use kitchen plastic wrap and a bungee cord. No hard to remove lid and you can see what's happening. Once again you'd have to take kids/animals into consideration.