What size to drill for an airlock grommet/gasket?

[wasully]

Picked up a few buckets from Lowe's that are full of pear juice right now.

Except I need to drill a hole for the airlocks. What is the inner diamater of the grommets?

I'd rather not risk ~12 gallons of perry pears to an open fermentation, y'know? It was a lot of work to pick, grind, and press them. So I need to put an airlocks on tomorrow morning before I go to work and can't manage any fermentations for 6 weeks.

Thanks y'all!

 

[Jag75]

I couldnt tell you off hand . Do you have an airlock that you can size up with a bit?

 

[jschein]

The air lock grommets need a 1/2 inch hole

https://www.homebrewing.org/Rubber-Lid-Grommet-Replacement_p_1822.html

 

[wasully]

I couldnt tell you off hand . Do you have an airlock that you can size up with a bit?

The inner airlock hole wasn't the issue. It's drilling a hole big enough to fit the grommet in, but small enough the "lips" form a seal with the lid. I could've phrased it better.

The air lock grommets need a 1/2 inch hole

https://www.homebrewing.org/Rubber-Lid-Grommet-Replacement_p_1822.html

That was what I needed, thank you!

Those lids are surprisingly hard to drill. I might get a sacrificial bucket to see if drilling the buckets themselves is viable. Put a hole + 90* bend at the top-so that way I can stack the buckets during fermentation.

 

[kevin58]

I've never used one on plastic but have tried a step bit?

 

[balrog]

My LHBS always used a step bit, whether drilling grommet in lid or spigot in side holes.

 

[malter]

Those lids are surprisingly hard to drill. I might get a sacrificial bucket to see if drilling the buckets themselves is viable. Put a hole + 90* bend at the top-so that way I can stack the buckets during fermentation.

I use a 1/2 inch flat wood-boring bit (Home Depot et.al. sell them). Works well, with a nice hole that seals easily.

 

[MaxStout]

+1 on the flat woodboring (Forstner) bit. Makes nice, clean holes. Make sure you place a piece of wood behind it as a backstop when drilling, to minimize tearout.

 

[balrog]

Always backup, excellent point
Forstner bit is perfect too as it cleanly cuts the sides
[Edit: the Forstner bits with the smooth cutting edges and not those sawtooth sided forstner bits -- much better smooth]

 

[wasully]

+1 on the flat woodboring (Forstner) bit. Makes nice, clean holes. Make sure you place a piece of wood behind it as a backstop when drilling, to minimize tearout.

That's what I used, but maybe I just need a higher torque drill.