Can I convert this jug to a carboy?

[grittanomyces]

So I was at the hardware store and noticed this 2-gallon jug (pictured below). I really like how it looks like a barrel (and it is cheap). It's a perfect size for the 2-gallon batches I'd like to do , but I have some concerns and questions about converting it.

First is if I should be concerned about whether the glass can hold up to pressure. It looks plenty thick enough, and I will only be using it for secondary, so I assume this is not an issue, but worth asking.

Next, obviously something needs to be done to release pressure. The lid looks like a mason jar lid, but doesn't look like it's a vacuum seal, it just has a cheap paper liner to the lid that would obviously need to come out, as it would get nasty fast.

Obviously without the paper liner, it would not be probably be more prone to leaking air/CO2 in and out, which may not be an issue if I was fermenting in it, but would be more susceptible to O2 using it as a secondary vessel. So I'm not sure if it would be as simple as just drilling out a bung hole (he he he, I said bunghole).

Other than seeing if they make a size 256 stopper (kidding), trying to figure out how to make it work.

Thoughts? Worth even considering?

 

[broadbill]

First off, you shouldn't have pressure build up in a fermenter; an airlock allows the CO2 generated by fermentation to be released without letting contaminants in.

You could ferment in that without modification, if you just put the lid loosely on the top (DON'T screw it down!!!). However, as you said....the paper liner would get nasty quick.

I'd probably remove the paper liner. Drill a hole to fit a rubber stopper and fit it with an airlock. Then you can screw the lid down.

 

[grittanomyces]

First off, you shouldn't have pressure build up in a fermenter; an airlock allows the CO2 generated by fermentation to be released without letting contaminants in.

You could ferment in that without modification, if you just put the lid loosely on the top (DON'T screw it down!!!). However, as you said....the paper liner would get nasty quick.

I'd probably remove the paper liner. Drill a hole to fit a rubber stopper and fit it with an airlock. Then you can screw the lid down.

I am aware that an airlock would be preferable, and is part of my modification plan, but like I said, I'm not fermenting in it anyway.

You don't think that it would leak air in with the paper liner taken out? Why is the paper liner there then?

 

[flars]

I am aware that an airlock would be preferable, and is part of my modification plan, but like I said, I'm not fermenting in it anyway.

You don't think that it would leak air in with the paper liner taken out? Why is the paper liner there then?

The jar may have been designed for storing dry food items. Hence the paper liner in the lid.

The lid will not have an air tight seal on the jar without the liner in place. You can make a liner, for single use, from a styrofoam plate. It would still be a good idea to drill the lid for an air lock to relieve any pressure that could build up.

You could buy a 2 gallon mason jar. Seals are positive and reusable. Glass is also heavy duty. They look nice too.