Rubber Grommets (Bucket Fermenters)

[Guidry]

I got ahold of a couple of small batch size buckets for fermenters and drill holes for the airlocks and installed grommets from HD. After 2 batches (1 per bucket) the grommets seem to have "melted" or reacted to the airlock plastic and they have all but disintegrated. The ones I have on my "ale pales" have been doing fine for several years.

Are the grommets included with the buckets from homebrew "shops" made of a different material? Can anyone suggest a replacement?

 

[MaxStout]

I got ahold of a couple of small batch size buckets for fermenters and drill holes for the airlocks and installed grommets from HD. After 2 batches (1 per bucket) the grommets seem to have "melted" or reacted to the airlock plastic and they have all but disintegrated. The ones I have on my "ale pales" have been doing fine for several years.

Are the grommets included with the buckets from homebrew "shops" made of a different material? Can anyone suggest a replacement?

Go to Home Despot, or Lowe's. They should have rubber grommets in the electrical department.

 

[The10mmKid]

I opened up all the small grommet holes in my plastic lids to fit the glass carboy bung.

I think the hole size is 1-3/8", but verify it against yours.

Makes it real easy to use the 'wine thief' to sample the SG.

'da Kid

 

[Guidry]

Go to Home Despot, or Lowe's. They should have rubber grommets in the electrical department.

I got the grommets at Home Depot and they did not perform well. Almost reminded me if the reaction you get when you store plastic worms against other plastic in a tackle box.

 

[Guidry]

I opened up all the small grommet holes in my plastic lids to fit the glass carboy bung.


'da Kid

I did this to one of the lids this past weekend, although it didn't come out great.

Curious what you used to make the hole.

 

[Doed]

You can get these from Austin Homebrew. I just put one in my new 15 gallon fermentor.

 

[The10mmKid]

I did this to one of the lids this past weekend, although it didn't come out great.

Curious what you used to make the hole.

1" Electrical Conduit Punch (Greenlee)

TY for the 'Like'

'da Kid

 

[Guidry]

Alright! Another "like" for a source on that punch!

 

[The10mmKid]

Here's what your looking for:

http://www.harborfreight.com/knockout-punch-kit-91201.html

We use the GREENLEE brand because we are so demanding on them.

Not a big fan of Harbor Freight, but you should get a lifetime use from them as a homeowner.

'da Kid

 

[Guidry]

Thank you, sir!

 

[signmastr]

Std hole saw, then use rubber stoppers, food grade. Available at most brew shops.

 

[Indian_villager]

I used a cheap step bit that I had on hand from putting elements in my Aluminum kettle. It cuts through the bucket material like butter.
I then used a #7 drilled stopper with airlock. Best thing is that when I am done fermenting I take out just the bung, put my autosiphon in and rack straight from there.