Using a bigger fermentation bucket

[rozza2010]

Hi.

I have 2 brews on the go at the moment, white wine from tesco fruit juice cartons and a ribena wine (hope it doesnt come out too strong or like syrup)

They are both in 1 gallon fermentation buckets. I wanted to start another red wine kit off but the only other container I have with a lid is a 5 gallon bucket with a lid. Would I be ok to use this bigger bucket?

Failing that is their anywhere i can buy a lid for a 1 gallon fermentation bucket? or anything else i could use which would be air tight.

Thanks
Paul

 

[RobWalker]

You can always just make a lid. As long as it's sterile, airtight and fits an airlock, you'll be fine, some people do it out of cling film and a large elastic band. People have been making wine for hundreds of years, and they didn't always have a LHBS

You can use a 5 gal bucket, it's just a pain moving it about for such a small amount of home brew

 

[rozza2010]

Brilliant....

Ill get them started tomoz. If I use clingfilm how can I attach a airlock

Thanks
Paul

 

[DoctorCAD]

If it is only for a primary fermentation, it doesn't matter.

Get a gallon of Inglenook wine and drink it in the 7 to 10 days for primary fermentation and there you go!

Buckets are a bad idea for secondary (or long) fermentation because of the surface area touching air.

 

[wooda2008]

you might not have to worry about the airlock with the seran wrap. I'm sure the CO2 will find a way to leak out from under the band.

I have only used a 6.5 gallon bucket for all my gallon batches. Never had a problem.

 

[larrybrewer]

I would just put a towel over it with a board for the primary. Then rack it into a carboy after it is done fermenting and let it settle out. You don't want any head space in the secondary because at that point the oxygen is bad for it.