6 Gallon Bucket with a lid that actually seals

[der_Missionar]

So, I got a bucket from the local home brew store and the lid doesn't seal at all. Very few bubbles out the airlock, but there is positive pressure.

I have read old posts about 'no need' for a seal -- but it's messing up my process. I'm used to counting the number of bubbles per minute to determine when things are done... So, without the argument of whether a seal is necessary, can someone tell me where I can get buckets that have a rubber seal in the lid?

Thanks!~

Der Missionar

 

[dyqik]

The 7.8 gal ones (Canadian made, with ABV calculator table on the side, from the LHBS) that I've now got as fermenters definitely seal well. The extra headroom is nice, as well.

 

[der_Missionar]

Is the headroom good or bad. I heard that too much headroom is bad...

Have to find a brand I can buy in the states... The LHBS doesn't carry sealing ones here...

 

[botigol]

Even though it's your normal process, I would caution you against counting bubbles, because there are a number of variables that will affect that result. The largest and hardest to control is whether a high or low pressure system is moving into your area. An approaching high pressure system will suppress your bubbles, whereas an approaching low pressure system will cause additional bubbles due to off-gassing of CO2, even if fermentation is complete.

 

[Hoppy2bmerry]

Lowes and Home Depot generally carry lids with gaskets not sure if the have the size you need. Let me echo that airlock activity is not the fool proof way to know fermentation is done. Some recipies stall before they are done, the best way to know if it is done is to measure the gravity before pitching yeast and when you think it is done. If the reading isn't near the expected finish you could have a stall which could be problematic for bottling.

 

[InTheBasement]

Easy trick for this is to get a roll of electrical tale and make 3 wraps around the cover/bucket junction. It will seal the cover to the bucket for all intents and purposes. It works, and it's quick and easy.

 

[der_Missionar]

Hmmm.. Thanks, all. I'd really like to find buckets with actual seals.

Any of you see a brand that has a rubber seal?

 

[bfish]

This is what I use (6.5 gallons), it seals great (has gasket): http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=24116&catid=626

However, on one of mine, I drilled the hole for the airlock a little too big. Since then I always just leave the airlock out until around day 3, then I plug it with aluminum foil. I then remove lid around day 6 to see if it is ready (with hydrometer test) or if it needs another day or two.

 

[frozengator]

Not sure if it will work with your bucket, I went to Meijers and they had a two piece lid one has a rubber seal and snaps over buckets lip. Other screw into the other like a twist lock. It has a rubber seal too. I have it on my bottling bucket just to reduce any chance of contamination

It was $7.00

 

[IslandLizard]

You could probably lay a very thin and even layer of silicone caulk in the lid's groove. Or buy or make a thin rubber gasket that can lie in there. They may even sell those, I pulled one out of a lid once.

On the other side, a little leakage around the rim does no harm to your beer. It will still ferment the way it intended to.

After 3 days, 7 days, whatever, suck some beer out (leaving the lid in place) and measure the gravity.

 

[ba-brewer]

I buy my buckets from morebeer and the lids from home depot. Run your finger around the top edge of the bucket to make sure it is smooth.

I soak the sealing area of the lid in a bucket of starsan before putting it on the bucket. If I loose pressure I resoak the lid then reseat and that usually fixes things.

If there is positive pressure and the air lock is bubbling, it seems like your seal is fine and it is just a slow ferment.

 

[kh54s10]

Any bucket you buy that has a snap on lid is going to be questionable on how good a seal is going to be. Any bucket made specifically for fermenting is going to be your best bet.

I will add to those that have said it is not a good practice to "count bubbles" I have had several that were in Better Bottles with a tight seal on the rubber bung that stopped bubbling in a couple of days but did not reach final gravity until about day 10.

 

[der_Missionar]

I buy my buckets from morebeer and the lids from home depot. Run your finger around the top edge of the bucket to make sure it is smooth.

I have not found food grade lids from Home Depot.
Found some at Lowes, but not sure if these will fit the Ale Pail...
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Encore-Plastics-12-5-in-White-Plastic-Bucket-Lid/3382566
$6 to find out, I guess...

 

[Totally]

If you are really set on having your buckets sealed then you could look into Gamma Seal Lids.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0089QJQTS/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

People use the when storing grain in buckets, they are airtight.

 

[frozengator]

If you are really set on having your buckets sealed then you could look into Gamma Seal Lids.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0089QJQTS/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

People use the when storing grain in buckets, they are airtight.

This is the one I was talking about from Meijers. $7.00 is what I paid

 

[der_Missionar]

:.( No meijers near me... Lowes lid is too big...

I do have access to a 7.8 gallon Wine brewing bucket with a rubber seal... Not sure if that would create too much head space though...

 

[Singletrack]

:I do have access to a 7.8 gallon Wine brewing bucket with a rubber seal... Not sure if that would create too much head space though...

Fill head space with more beer.

 

[ba-brewer]

I think a standard lid would be easier to clean than a gamma lid, or maybe easier to see if it clean. I am assuming the outer ring which snaps on the bucket is not intended to taken on and off. Also you are relying on two seal instead of one.



The lids I bought at home depot had a food safe sticker on them.

 

[JohnSand]

BSG Bucket fermenters. I have two, they have a gasket and seal tightly.

 

[RM-MN]

So, I got a bucket from the local home brew store and the lid doesn't seal at all. Very few bubbles out the airlock, but there is positive pressure.

I have read old posts about 'no need' for a seal -- but it's messing up my process. I'm used to counting the number of bubbles per minute to determine when things are done... So, without the argument of whether a seal is necessary, can someone tell me where I can get buckets that have a rubber seal in the lid?

Thanks!~

Der Missionar

That's the wrong way to determine if your beer is done so quit counting bubbles. The airlocks purpose is to let excess gas out and keep insects and foreign objects out of your beer, nothing more than that.

Beer is determined to be done with two identical hydrometer readings taken at least a day apart that fall within the expected FG. Depending on bubbles will get you bottle bombs at some point because your beer really wasn't done.