stopper pushing out or carboy?

NEPABREWER · May 2, 2006

Is a loose fit ok or should my stopper be plunged in good?

Lou · May 2, 2006

it should fit in well.
it'll fit better if both the carboy and the stopper are dry, actually.

NEPABREWER · May 2, 2006

right I can see how that would work - I am new to this so I am like mr f#$%in clean jeans - I soak everything in sanstar solution before it comes anywhere near my beer. So the carboy was wet the stopper was wet. I just don't want to worry about it popping out in my shi^*ty dungeon of a basement.

homebrewer_99 · May 2, 2006

If you're concerned about it "popping out" wrap the bung and airlock in saran wrap once it's in the carboys opening. Don't cover the airlock though.

Use it like duct tape.

mrkrispy · May 3, 2006

have you tried a universal stopper? They work great wet or dry and it is virtually impossible to push them in to the carboy. I ummm converted after I put my second stopper in my glass carboy...

andre the giant · May 4, 2006

mrkrispy said:
have you tried a universal stopper? They work great wet or dry and it is virtually impossible to push them in to the carboy. I ummm converted after I put my second stopper in my glass carboy...

Yeah, getting those stoppers out of the carboy is a real Beyotch.

Most hardware stores sell small tools that are like screwdrivers but have pointed ends, (like and awl) and usually include one that's hook shaped, one that's L shaped, and several other shapes. I've found that if you hold the carboy upside down, use the L shaped tool to "grab" the inside of the hole in the stopper, and carefully pull it out, you can get the stopper out in less than 5 minutes.

Of course, If your carboy has beer in it, (which it usually does) your only course of action is to leave the stopper in there until you rack the beer out, then work on getting the stopper out.

Always have a spare....