Drilled Rubber Stopper Introduce Bacteria

[Kyle]

I recently changed my fermenters from Fermonster to Speidel. I had bought the #10 silicone stopper with thermowell for the Fermonster but it is about a size too big for the Speidel. I didn’t want to spend more money for the jaybird thermowell so I got a # 9 rubber stopper and drilled with a standard 1/4” bit to put the thermowell. I put the thermowell where I drilled and it’s pretty snug but the hole isn’t the smoothest hole. Do you guys think this will introduce bacteria into my batch or should I just bite the bullet and get the jaybird thermowell?

 

[RPh_Guy]

You could avoid the issue altogether and put the probe on the outside (and insulate it).

 

[cubalz]

I see you quickly found out how hard it is to drill through solid rubber. Been there, done that. If you are worried about harboring bacteria, soak the stopper in a bleach solution and rinse before inserting the thermowell.