Converting buckets to fermenters questions.

[muttieb]

Hi everyone I have a few questions that I hope you guys can help me out with. I have a bunch of buckets from a bakery that contained frosting and fruit filling so they are food grade safe, they are also about 4 gallons each i think. I wanna convert some of these into fermenters but have a few issues and concerns.

1) They don't come with the rubber ring gasket on the inside of the lid. How important is it to have this gasket. Is there anyplace online that sells special sizes of these, the lids are a little smaller than normal 5 gallon buckets.

2) How do I go about drilling a hole in a lid for the airlock. I have looked around for the little rubber gaskets that go around the hole but haven't had any luck finding any.

3) Will there be enough head space to use as a primary fermenter. I'm planning on doing 5 gallon batches but to split them up between 2 of these buckets to try some experimentation between the batch such as different yeast types and maybe some fruits or other flavoring. My concern is how much headroom is needed for 2.5 gallon batches?

And finally is there anything that I am missing on what I need to do when using these buckets or why I shouldn't try to convert these into small fermenters. I look forward to hearing what you guys have to say!

 

[bstacy1974]

You're looking for rubber grommets. Its a big o-ring that has a groove cut around the outside diameter.
Take your airlock to Lowe's or other hardware store to make sure you get the proper size. Can't remember what size I got.

 

[rico567]

As far as a seal between the bucket itself and the lid, there seems to be a consensus on HBT from what I've read that it's not really necessary.

The grooved grommet in the lid can be purchased at fine homebrewing suppliers everywhere. I got mine from Midwest.

The lid can be drilled very nicely with a 1/2 inch paddle (wood) bit. This will create a bit of flash around the edges, but this can be taken off quite readily with a utility knife.

 

[muttieb]

Thats kinda of what I thought about the lid seal too, its seemed to have a pretty good seal without so I might give it a try without it.

 

[muttieb]

Wow I've looked on midwest supplies before for the grommets before and had no luck until I actually typed in grommets... who would have thought haha! thanks for the tip I might also check out lowes and see if i cant find them

 

[rrumney]

You can also just drill a larger hole, and then use a drilled rubber stopper to hold the bubbler.

 

[Revvy]

You can go to any hardware store and pick up 5/8" grommets dirt cheap. And you don't have to wait for them to be shipped.

 

[muttieb]

You can go to any hardware store and pick up 5/8" grommets dirt cheap. And you don't have to wait for them to be shipped.

thanks for the tip, any thoughts on whether or not i should worry about using a rubber ring on the inside of the lid?

 

[Bstout]

should be able to find the grommets at any wine and brewing store

 

[Bstout]

i have a friend that gets me buckets that dont have the o-ring, they seal just fine with no problems

 

[postal_penguin]

I believe some buckets will seal fine without the ring and others need the ring to seal. My fermenting bucket that has a gasket will not seal without it.