Bungs or stoppers: What to chose?

[Finlandbrews]

I have bought six gallons better bottle kind of fermenters and I got with them bungs. I don't know why but I feel that these bungs are not best... Would you recommend me stoppers instead too? Or is there no difference?

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[Rev2010]

Just two different words for the same item.



Rev.

 

[UndeadFred]

I hear the universal stoppers are better in the PET bottles.. I had the choice of a #10, a #10.5 and one of the universal stoppers at the LHBS when I just recently bought a Vintage Shop 6 Gal PET from him and he let me try all three on the bottle.. I went with the stopper at 1/3 of the price because it just seemed to fit better. They are cheap enough buy both if you are not sure...

 

[Finlandbrews]

I hear the universal stoppers are better in the PET bottles.. I had the choice of a #10, a #10.5 and one of the universal stoppers at the LHBS when I just recently bought a Vintage Shop 6 Gal PET from him and he let me try all three on the bottle.. I went with the stopper at 1/3 of the price because it just seemed to fit better. They are cheap enough buy both if you are not sure...

Thanks so the question is: this or that?

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[RM-MN]

The purpose of either is to release excess CO2 so it doesn't really matter which you use. Try one batch with no stopper at all for the first week and see how that beer compares. You might have to use some cloth to cover the opening to keep bugs from committing suicide in your beer.

 

[tagz]

I like the better bottle universal bungs (second pic). Stoppers always want to slide out when wet with starsan.

 

[singybrue]

I'm in the universal bung camp as well.

 

[Gavin C]

Bung/Stopper

Po-tay-to/Po-tah-to

I now typically use carboy caps

 

[RM-MN]

I sometimes us a fermenter with only a small hole drilled in the lid and a piece of Saran wrap taped over it to keep bugs out. It does the same job but at minimal expense. However, it doesn't look as cool nor does it give me bubbles to look at.

 

[Mer-man]

I like the better bottle universal bungs (second pic). Stoppers always want to slide out when wet with starsan.

Totally

 

[Finlandbrews]

Totally

Thanks!

 

[BrewSavage]

I like the better bottle universal bungs (second pic). Stoppers always want to slide out when wet with starsan.

I'm in this camp too.

 

[jaydlaw]

I use bungs and just tape down the sides if it decides to raise up a little. I like them better because of the lip on them. I feel stoppers might be a hassle to get out of the bottle.

 

[jimyoung]

Those universal bungs look great!

I use the classic bungs. I toss them in my diversol when I'm doing my prep and I assume that gets them critter-free. The problem with the classic bungs is they are a PITA to get out, I broke a nail once and it really sucked.

Basically, whatever works and whatever you have in the cupboard..

 

[bkboiler]

ya, I need to upgrade my stoppers to bungs...I almost pressed a stopper all the way into my fermenter last week since it was wet with star san and I was trying to cram it down so it wouldn't pop out again.
I literally spent 5 minutes wrestling the stopper out by the airlock as half was into the hole and half was out...

 

[AnOldUR]

I like the better bottle universal bungs (second pic). Stoppers always want to slide out when wet with starsan.

Swing top made from zip ties and a paperclip to hold down stopper.

 

[beergolf]

I like the better bottle universal bungs (second pic). Stoppers always want to slide out when wet with starsan.

That or even worse, slip into the carboy if you push too hard....

 

[jimyoung]

That or even worse, slip into the carboy if you push too hard....

Don't even joke about that! *shudder* you just gave me nightmares, I will always think of this when putting the bung in

 

[MaddBaggins]

I don't like the universals for anything long term. After a little while they hold shape and may not be airtight, especially if you've remove it to pull a sample and put back in place. The rubber ones, while slippery when wet, do not hold a shape and IMO make a better seal.
I just bought one of the orange caps recently but haven't had a chance to use it.

 

[IslandLizard]

The (classic) rubber bungs tend to dry out and get harder with time. The "Universal" ones remain pliable for many years.

 

[bernardsmith]

The universal bungs have a hidden advantage - at least for wine makers - and that is if you invert them the inside nipple fits snuggly inside the mouth of a 750 cc or 1.500 L bottle and that means that you can store additional wine to top up carboys after racking

 

[Yooper]

Keep in mind that if you're aging wine or beers long term, that the silicone lets in a lot more oxygen over time.

Here's a study on airlocks and bung closures that really is very interesting: http://www.mocon.com/assets/documents/PPS_Article_highq.pdf

 

[MaddBaggins]

The (classic) rubber bungs tend to dry out and get harder with time. The "Universal" ones remain pliable for many years.

I've never had this issue with the rubber ones and I live in a really dry environment. I still have the original one I started with 18yrs ago. It's not cracked and plenty pliable.
I did, however, buy one recently that I found cracked when I got home. It was soft and pliable. I chalked it up to just a bad batch or something.
I have some of the universals also. I just use them for short term stuff, less than 6 months.

 

[MaddBaggins]

Keep in mind that if you're aging wine or beers long term, that the silicone lets in a lot more oxygen over time.

Here's a study on airlocks and bung closures that really is very interesting: http://www.mocon.com/assets/documents/PPS_Article_highq.pdf

Nice study. I saved that to my beer file.

 

[IslandLizard]

I've never had this issue with the rubber ones and I live in a really dry environment. I still have the original one I started with 18yrs ago. It's not cracked and plenty pliable.
I did, however, buy one recently that I found cracked when I got home. It was soft and pliable. I chalked it up to just a bad batch or something.
I have some of the universals also. I just use them for short term stuff, less than 6 months.

I was referring to some of the new "rubber" stoppers. I have a few drilled ones that fit growlers (for small batches and top up beer) and suffer from bad eczema. Very possible there are different materials floating around.

 

[MaddBaggins]

I was referring to some of the new "rubber" stoppers. I have a few drilled ones that fit growlers (for small batches and top up beer) and suffer from bad eczema. Very possible there are different materials floating around.

You may be right about the new ones. All of mine are quite old but like I said, the recent one I bought was bad from the start.