How often to switch Buckets/Lids?

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by MIBeerGeek, Jan 3, 2016.

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  1. MIBeerGeek

    MIBeerGeek Initiate (0) Dec 26, 2015 Michigan

    I've been brewing for a few years and have 3 designated 6.5 gallon ale pail buckets. I also have 2 carboys 5 gal for secondary.

    Main question is about do the seal fail in the lids?

    I am currently running a primary on a RIS around 1.089OG Brewed this on Friday around 4pm and didn't see much bubbling or gurgling through my blowoff. There is however a mass of stout around the 1st lip on the bucket below the lid! Basically if I swirl the beer or agitate it at all I see it dripping slightly. I did check the gravity today and it has dropped to 1.035 so I suppose that's a step in the right direction.

    Never really noticed this until the current brew was in fermentation.

    Any help would be appreciated
     
    #1 MIBeerGeek, Jan 3, 2016
  2. pweis909

    pweis909 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,250) Aug 13, 2005 Wisconsin
    Pooh-Bah

    Bucket lids can be tricky to seal. You think you seal it, and then you go back to do a gravity check or something and you realize there was a spot that never got snapped into place. I have never had I lid/bucket that I gave up on because I could never get it to seal. When I have had leaks, they appear to be a result of user error. One thing I noticed recently is that Northern Brewer sold me a different model of S airlock and it did not fit snuggly with the grommets on my buckets.

    I do swap buckets out from time to time, not so much because of age, though. When I started doing sours, I decided to keep couple buckets for that purpose. When I got a grain mill, I decided to use a bucket for that purpose. When I found myself making two sours, I dedicated another bucket. You get the idea.
     
    #2 pweis909, Jan 3, 2016
  3. GormBrewhouse

    GormBrewhouse Pooh-Bah (2,111) Jun 24, 2015 Vermont
    Pooh-Bah

    I. Use multiplayer types of fermenters, buckets, car boys, big mouth. All can fail after a certain amount of time. I just make sure I watch th ferment.
     
    #3 GormBrewhouse, Jan 3, 2016
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  4. GreenKrusty101

    GreenKrusty101 Initiate (0) Dec 4, 2008 Nevada

    Like cars, how long they last depends on how you take care of them. Don't store harder items in them, don't use abrasives to scrub them and they should serve you well for a long time (I've had several of mine for a decade).
     
    #4 GreenKrusty101, Jan 3, 2016
  5. MIBeerGeek

    MIBeerGeek Initiate (0) Dec 26, 2015 Michigan

    I appreciate all the responses so far.

    Pweis I do get the idea of dedicating buckets to certain beers, grains, sanitizing purposes etc. I am also very diligent about making sure the lids snap into place completely.

    I also hear what you're saying Green about taking care of your stuff. I tend to be pretty methodic on my cleaning process and such they are cleaned lightly and never truly abused unless its through a vigorous fermentation.

    Just kind of troubled as to why I am getting an air leak through a seal and a slight drip when pressurized?? Guess all I can do is attempt to clean and triple check all fermenters after this brew. Thanks again for the input!!
     
    #5 MIBeerGeek, Jan 3, 2016
  6. billandsuz

    billandsuz Pooh-Bah (2,097) Sep 1, 2004 New York
    Pooh-Bah

    if you need to seal your beer, it should be in a keg, bottle or possibly a glass carboy with a tight cap.

    you do not need to fully seal the lid. many of us just rest the lid on top of the bucket to keep pets and critters out. this also helps to eliminate exploding buckets. oh yeah, snap that lid on tight and come home to a wall of half fermented wort. and hops.

    relying on bubble activity to check progress of fermentation is not a good idea. for one, CO2 can escape from a loose seal (!), or you can have a stalled fermentation. use the hydrometer. it is the only way to know if your yeast are done.

    i have one pail from the original kit my wife bought back in 1997 i think. 95? no good with dates. buckets last forever if you take care of them.


    Cheers.
     
    #6 billandsuz, Jan 3, 2016
    wspscott, MIBeerGeek and scottakelly like this.
  7. wspscott

    wspscott Pooh-Bah (1,958) May 25, 2006 Kentucky
    Pooh-Bah

    Like @billandsuz I never says, I never actually seal my buckets, just rest the lid on the top of the bucket.

    You should probably replace a bucket if it is all scratched up inside, but other than that, they last forever.
     
    #7 wspscott, Jan 3, 2016
  8. HerbMeowing

    HerbMeowing Maven (1,295) Nov 10, 2010 Virginia
    Trader

    Word.
     
    #8 HerbMeowing, Jan 3, 2016
  9. inchrisin

    inchrisin Pooh-Bah (2,013) Sep 25, 2008 Indiana
    Pooh-Bah

    I use buckets for primary. I don't worry about hammering the lid down or getting airlock activity. The beer usually sits for 3 weeks and goes into a keg or a bottle. I make good beer and don't compete. Everything is very drinkable and worth my time

    Some of my buckets have lasted the 5 years I've been brewing.
     
    #9 inchrisin, Jan 3, 2016
  10. Hanglow

    Hanglow Pooh-Bah (2,051) Feb 18, 2012 Scotland
    Pooh-Bah

    I never seal either

    I'd get a carboy if I wanted a decent seal, have yet to be bitten by the souring/bulk ageing bug so I haven't got one yet
     
    #10 Hanglow, Jan 3, 2016
  11. Brew_Betty

    Brew_Betty Initiate (0) Jan 5, 2015 Wisconsin

    The 7.9gal buckets with a grommet in the lid seal like a vault.
     
    #11 Brew_Betty, Jan 3, 2016
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