Mid way through my first 5 gal brew and bucket is leaking

[newbrewer2017]

Would it be ok to either let it sit with out yeast overnight. or rerack it tomorrow in a bucket ? I only have 5 gallon buckets, and the 6.5 bucket for some reason the bottom is leaking

 

[flars]

How bad is the leak? Letting the wort sit for too long before the fermentation starts risks infection. You can pitch the yeast now if the leak isn't too bad and then rack to another bucket tomorrow.

 

[newbrewer2017]

can i pitch the yeast in a 5 gallon buck and top off tomorrow when i rack to a new 6.5? Its cooling now. So much fun to scramble like this

 

[Gonefishing]

Can you see a crack on the bottom of the 6.5? If you can, maybe you could seal it with some crazy glue or tape?

 

[flars]

can i pitch the yeast in a 5 gallon buck and top off tomorrow when i rack to a new 6.5? Its cooling now. So much fun to scramble like this

Doesn't seem like there would be any problem doing it this way. You can even splash during the racking. No risk of oxidation while the yeast is just getting a start.

Remember sanitation.

 

[newbrewer2017]

ok i used a 5 gallon bucket, left it at 4 gallons (maybe that high). And after my brewing was done got a chance to better inspect the buckets. Since both new ones leaked.

Spigots came without o-rings. And the slight leak was found. Tomorrow I will get them both fixed. One completely blocked and another so I can bottle with it.

Thanks for the help flars. I was like crap my first real brew with grains and EVERYTHING is not working. Save the beer panic later.

 

[flars]

ok i used a 5 gallon bucket, left it at 4 gallons (maybe that high). And after my brewing was done got a chance to better inspect the buckets. Since both new ones leaked.

Spigots came without o-rings. And the slight leak was found. Tomorrow I will get them both fixed. One completely blocked and another so I can bottle with it.

Thanks for the help flars. I was like crap my first real brew with grains and EVERYTHING is not working. Save the beer panic later.

Buckets with spigots should have an o-ring on the inside and the outside. Two o-rings makes sealing easier without needing the pressure to deflect the plastic of the bucket.

 

[newbrewer2017]

the actual spigot itself was leaking. the two o-rings for the bucket were fine. It turned out to be leaking at the handle and running under the bucket. I am a mechanic so I had some UV dye and i used that to find the leaks.

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

Pretty sure most don't ferment in a bucket with a spigot. Just another place for bacteria to hide. Leaving your beer overnight without yeast is common practice these days..fill up the bucket and don't open again till your ready to pitch yeast....leave it overnight at a room/chamber temp you feel you want to pitch the yeast and your wort will be at the exact temp for pitching when you figure out your bucket situation.Make sure your bucket is real sanitary...Oxyclean works wonders

 

[newbrewer2017]

Pretty sure most don't ferment in a bucket with a spigot. Just another place for bacteria to hide. Leaving your beer overnight without yeast is common practice these days..fill up the bucket and don't open again till your ready to pitch yeast....leave it overnight at a room/chamber temp you feel you want to pitch the yeast and your wort will be at the exact temp for pitching when you figure out your bucket situation.Make sure your bucket is real sanitary...Oxyclean works wonders

wish i would have saw this earlier.

but either way, I just cracked open my first homebrew after 6 weeks, and its worth it

 

[kh54s10]

Pretty sure most don't ferment in a bucket with a spigot. Just another place for bacteria to hide. Leaving your beer overnight without yeast is common practice these days..fill up the bucket and don't open again till your ready to pitch yeast....leave it overnight at a room/chamber temp you feel you want to pitch the yeast and your wort will be at the exact temp for pitching when you figure out your bucket situation.Make sure your bucket is real sanitary...Oxyclean works wonders

I would say that most don't have a spigot. But, whenever I suggest that you shouldn't, for reasons you state I get a lot of flack from those who do and, IMO, have been lucky enough not to have problems.

I also disagree with having 2 o-rings. That makes for a lot of possible movement that could begin to leak at a later time. I only have one on the outside of the bucket. It is much more secure than it would be with 2 o-rings. (bottling bucket, not fermenting)

 

[newbrewer2017]

I would say that most don't have a spigot. But, whenever I suggest that you shouldn't, for reasons you state I get a lot of flack from those who do and, IMO, have been lucky enough not to have problems.

I also disagree with having 2 o-rings. That makes for a lot of possible movement that could begin to leak at a later time. I only have one on the outside of the bucket. It is much more secure than it would be with 2 o-rings. (bottling bucket, not fermenting)

2 o-rings opinion is new to me but have seen the debate on the spigot thing, only my spigots were made on Friday at the end of the day I think, or Monday after a long weekend. Yes i am loving my first brew

 

[newbrewer2017]

update: fixed the buckets with nylon plugs and all is good, re-racked and i got bubbles.

Enjoying one of these from my first batch :