Leaking fermenter lid ok?

[Joerg]

One of my fermenters seems to leak in the lid seal. The fine inner lips
tear pretty much after the first use and now that one seems to not seal
well anymore. This kind:

https://www.midwestsupplies.com/6-5-gallon-plastic-fermenter-with-lid

On a Koelsch the airlock level raised up a bit so pressure developed but
not one burp or bubble made it through so far, three days after brewing.
When I press down the lid it burps, of course, and then the fluid column
rises back up indicating some pressure. But not much. I assume the CO2
is just quietly hissing out somewhere. Can't soap it up to see because
it's jammed into a chamber with others. The fermenter has about 20
batches behind it. Shining through it with a flashlight shows that some
kraeusen has developed. Is it ok to keep running the bucket fermenter
that way for more batches? I'd hate to needlessly throw stuff out,
especially plastics.

My gut feel is that is should be ok, considering that many breweries run
completely open fermenting tubs. Like here:

[Tom Biasi]

Post by Joerg
One of my fermenters seems to leak in the lid seal. The fine inner lips
tear pretty much after the first use and now that one seems to not seal
https://www.midwestsupplies.com/6-5-gallon-plastic-fermenter-with-lid
On a Koelsch the airlock level raised up a bit so pressure developed but
not one burp or bubble made it through so far, three days after brewing.
When I press down the lid it burps, of course, and then the fluid column
rises back up indicating some pressure. But not much. I assume the CO2
is just quietly hissing out somewhere. Can't soap it up to see because
it's jammed into a chamber with others. The fermenter has about 20
batches behind it. Shining through it with a flashlight shows that some
kraeusen has developed. Is it ok to keep running the bucket fermenter
that way for more batches? I'd hate to needlessly throw stuff out,
especially plastics.
My gut feel is that is should be ok, considering that many breweries run
http://youtu.be/xClXKMhcFr0

If it's just a small leak the wort is under a blanket of CO2. Your main
concern is not to let contaminates in. While there is still a lot of CO2
try reseating the lid.

[Joerg]

Post by Tom Biasi

Post by Joerg
One of my fermenters seems to leak in the lid seal. The fine inner
lips tear pretty much after the first use and now that one seems to
https://www.midwestsupplies.com/6-5-gallon-plastic-fermenter-with-lid
On a Koelsch the airlock level raised up a bit so pressure developed
but not one burp or bubble made it through so far, three days after
brewing. When I press down the lid it burps, of course, and then the
fluid column rises back up indicating some pressure. But not much. I
assume the CO2 is just quietly hissing out somewhere. Can't soap it up
to see because it's jammed into a chamber with others. The fermenter
has about 20 batches behind it. Shining through it with a flashlight
shows that some kraeusen has developed. Is it ok to keep running the
bucket fermenter that way for more batches? I'd hate to needlessly
throw stuff out, especially plastics.
My gut feel is that is should be ok, considering that many breweries
http://youtu.be/xClXKMhcFr0

If it's just a small leak the wort is under a blanket of CO2. Your main
concern is not to let contaminates in. While there is still a lot of CO2
try reseating the lid.

It's fully seated all around. I think it just plain wore out in the
inner lip. That lip is flimsy on those buckets. The CO2 blanket should
be fine because the air lock shows some pressure inside versus outside
and that could only be the CO2.

[Bob F]

Post by Joerg

Post by Tom Biasi

Post by Joerg
One of my fermenters seems to leak in the lid seal. The fine inner
lips tear pretty much after the first use and now that one seems to
https://www.midwestsupplies.com/6-5-gallon-plastic-fermenter-with-lid
On a Koelsch the airlock level raised up a bit so pressure developed
but not one burp or bubble made it through so far, three days after
brewing. When I press down the lid it burps, of course, and then the
fluid column rises back up indicating some pressure. But not much. I
assume the CO2 is just quietly hissing out somewhere. Can't soap it up
to see because it's jammed into a chamber with others. The fermenter
has about 20 batches behind it. Shining through it with a flashlight
shows that some kraeusen has developed. Is it ok to keep running the
bucket fermenter that way for more batches? I'd hate to needlessly
throw stuff out, especially plastics.
My gut feel is that is should be ok, considering that many breweries
http://youtu.be/xClXKMhcFr0

If it's just a small leak the wort is under a blanket of CO2. Your main
concern is not to let contaminates in. While there is still a lot of CO2
try reseating the lid.

It's fully seated all around. I think it just plain wore out in the
inner lip. That lip is flimsy on those buckets. The CO2 blanket should
be fine because the air lock shows some pressure inside versus outside
and that could only be the CO2.

You could lay plastic wrap over the bucket, cut a hole for the air trap,
then add the lid.

[Joerg]

Post by Bob F

Post by Joerg

Post by Tom Biasi

Post by Joerg
One of my fermenters seems to leak in the lid seal. The fine inner
lips tear pretty much after the first use and now that one seems to
https://www.midwestsupplies.com/6-5-gallon-plastic-fermenter-with-lid
On a Koelsch the airlock level raised up a bit so pressure developed
but not one burp or bubble made it through so far, three days after
brewing. When I press down the lid it burps, of course, and then the
fluid column rises back up indicating some pressure. But not much. I
assume the CO2 is just quietly hissing out somewhere. Can't soap it up
to see because it's jammed into a chamber with others. The fermenter
has about 20 batches behind it. Shining through it with a flashlight
shows that some kraeusen has developed. Is it ok to keep running the
bucket fermenter that way for more batches? I'd hate to needlessly
throw stuff out, especially plastics.
My gut feel is that is should be ok, considering that many breweries
http://youtu.be/xClXKMhcFr0

If it's just a small leak the wort is under a blanket of CO2. Your main
concern is not to let contaminates in. While there is still a lot of CO2
try reseating the lid.

It's fully seated all around. I think it just plain wore out in the
inner lip. That lip is flimsy on those buckets. The CO2 blanket should
be fine because the air lock shows some pressure inside versus outside
and that could only be the CO2.

You could lay plastic wrap over the bucket, cut a hole for the air trap,
then add the lid.

Good idea. Hoping that the wrap won't break into small chunks and sail
into the beer when I open it for racking off to secondary.

[Bob F]

Post by Joerg

Post by Bob F

Post by Joerg

Post by Tom Biasi

Post by Joerg
One of my fermenters seems to leak in the lid seal. The fine inner
lips tear pretty much after the first use and now that one seems to
https://www.midwestsupplies.com/6-5-gallon-plastic-fermenter-with-lid
On a Koelsch the airlock level raised up a bit so pressure developed
but not one burp or bubble made it through so far, three days after
brewing. When I press down the lid it burps, of course, and then the
fluid column rises back up indicating some pressure. But not much. I
assume the CO2 is just quietly hissing out somewhere. Can't soap it up
to see because it's jammed into a chamber with others. The fermenter
has about 20 batches behind it. Shining through it with a flashlight
shows that some kraeusen has developed. Is it ok to keep running the
bucket fermenter that way for more batches? I'd hate to needlessly
throw stuff out, especially plastics.
My gut feel is that is should be ok, considering that many breweries
http://youtu.be/xClXKMhcFr0

If it's just a small leak the wort is under a blanket of CO2. Your main
concern is not to let contaminates in. While there is still a lot of CO2
try reseating the lid.

It's fully seated all around. I think it just plain wore out in the
inner lip. That lip is flimsy on those buckets. The CO2 blanket should
be fine because the air lock shows some pressure inside versus outside
and that could only be the CO2.

You could lay plastic wrap over the bucket, cut a hole for the air trap,
then add the lid.

Good idea. Hoping that the wrap won't break into small chunks and sail
into the beer when I open it for racking off to secondary.

Unless you lay it out in the sun for 6 months first, that's pretty unlikely.

[Joerg]

Post by Bob F

Post by Joerg

Post by Bob F

Post by Joerg

Post by Tom Biasi

Post by Joerg
One of my fermenters seems to leak in the lid seal. The fine inner
lips tear pretty much after the first use and now that one seems to
https://www.midwestsupplies.com/6-5-gallon-plastic-fermenter-with-lid
On a Koelsch the airlock level raised up a bit so pressure developed
but not one burp or bubble made it through so far, three days after
brewing. When I press down the lid it burps, of course, and then the
fluid column rises back up indicating some pressure. But not much. I
assume the CO2 is just quietly hissing out somewhere. Can't soap it up
to see because it's jammed into a chamber with others. The fermenter
has about 20 batches behind it. Shining through it with a flashlight
shows that some kraeusen has developed. Is it ok to keep running the
bucket fermenter that way for more batches? I'd hate to needlessly
throw stuff out, especially plastics.
My gut feel is that is should be ok, considering that many breweries
http://youtu.be/xClXKMhcFr0

If it's just a small leak the wort is under a blanket of CO2. Your main
concern is not to let contaminates in. While there is still a lot of CO2
try reseating the lid.

It's fully seated all around. I think it just plain wore out in the
inner lip. That lip is flimsy on those buckets. The CO2 blanket should
be fine because the air lock shows some pressure inside versus outside
and that could only be the CO2.

You could lay plastic wrap over the bucket, cut a hole for the air trap,
then add the lid.

Good idea. Hoping that the wrap won't break into small chunks and sail
into the beer when I open it for racking off to secondary.

Unless you lay it out in the sun for 6 months first, that's pretty unlikely.

Last time I tried to seal something with plastic film the seal area's
compression and closure movement tore it all up and frayed it. Which
would be ok as long as no pieces come off because they can hardly be seen.

[Bob F]

Post by Joerg

Post by Bob F

Post by Joerg

Post by Bob F

Post by Joerg

Post by Tom Biasi

Post by Joerg
One of my fermenters seems to leak in the lid seal. The fine inner
lips tear pretty much after the first use and now that one seems to
https://www.midwestsupplies.com/6-5-gallon-plastic-fermenter-with-lid
On a Koelsch the airlock level raised up a bit so pressure developed
but not one burp or bubble made it through so far, three days after
brewing. When I press down the lid it burps, of course, and then the
fluid column rises back up indicating some pressure. But not much. I
assume the CO2 is just quietly hissing out somewhere. Can't soap it up
to see because it's jammed into a chamber with others. The fermenter
has about 20 batches behind it. Shining through it with a flashlight
shows that some kraeusen has developed. Is it ok to keep running the
bucket fermenter that way for more batches? I'd hate to needlessly
throw stuff out, especially plastics.
My gut feel is that is should be ok, considering that many breweries
http://youtu.be/xClXKMhcFr0

If it's just a small leak the wort is under a blanket of CO2. Your main
concern is not to let contaminates in. While there is still a lot of CO2
try reseating the lid.

It's fully seated all around. I think it just plain wore out in the
inner lip. That lip is flimsy on those buckets. The CO2 blanket should
be fine because the air lock shows some pressure inside versus outside
and that could only be the CO2.

You could lay plastic wrap over the bucket, cut a hole for the air trap,
then add the lid.

Good idea. Hoping that the wrap won't break into small chunks and sail
into the beer when I open it for racking off to secondary.

Unless you lay it out in the sun for 6 months first, that's pretty unlikely.

Last time I tried to seal something with plastic film the seal area's
compression and closure movement tore it all up and frayed it. Which
would be ok as long as no pieces come off because they can hardly be seen.

Do a dry run first?

[Joerg]

Post by Bob F

Post by Joerg

Post by Bob F

Post by Joerg

Post by Bob F

Post by Joerg

Post by Tom Biasi

Post by Joerg
One of my fermenters seems to leak in the lid seal. The fine inner
lips tear pretty much after the first use and now that one seems to
https://www.midwestsupplies.com/6-5-gallon-plastic-fermenter-with-lid
On a Koelsch the airlock level raised up a bit so pressure developed
but not one burp or bubble made it through so far, three days after
brewing. When I press down the lid it burps, of course, and then the
fluid column rises back up indicating some pressure. But not much. I
assume the CO2 is just quietly hissing out somewhere. Can't soap it up
to see because it's jammed into a chamber with others. The fermenter
has about 20 batches behind it. Shining through it with a flashlight
shows that some kraeusen has developed. Is it ok to keep running the
bucket fermenter that way for more batches? I'd hate to needlessly
throw stuff out, especially plastics.
My gut feel is that is should be ok, considering that many breweries
http://youtu.be/xClXKMhcFr0

If it's just a small leak the wort is under a blanket of CO2. Your main
concern is not to let contaminates in. While there is still a lot of CO2
try reseating the lid.

It's fully seated all around. I think it just plain wore out in the
inner lip. That lip is flimsy on those buckets. The CO2 blanket should
be fine because the air lock shows some pressure inside versus outside
and that could only be the CO2.

You could lay plastic wrap over the bucket, cut a hole for the air trap,
then add the lid.

Good idea. Hoping that the wrap won't break into small chunks and sail
into the beer when I open it for racking off to secondary.

Unless you lay it out in the sun for 6 months first, that's pretty unlikely.

Last time I tried to seal something with plastic film the seal area's
compression and closure movement tore it all up and frayed it. Which
would be ok as long as no pieces come off because they can hardly be seen.

Do a dry run first?

I certainly will but it has to wait until end of next week, after
racking off to secondary. Normally the fermenters run almost round robin
but I recently ran very low on empty bottles and storage space. All
full. The best problem a homebrewer can have :-)

[baloonon]

Post by Joerg

Post by Bob F
You could lay plastic wrap over the bucket, cut a hole for the air
trap, then add the lid.

Good idea. Hoping that the wrap won't break into small chunks and sail
into the beer when I open it for racking off to secondary.

You could also just put plastic wrap over the bucket and cut a small
hole in the side of the fermenter near the top, stick in a short bit of
tubing that you bend to face up, and put your airlock in the top of the
tube. I'd say that's more trouble than it's worth. Probably better
just to budget for a new bucket.

Some day I want to cut a hole in a fermenter and glue a piece of acrylic
in place with aquarium adhesive so I can see what's going on, although I
have to admit that's also more trouble than it's worth. I think when
it's time for a new one, I may get something like this:

https://www.morebeer.com/products/fermonster-7-gallon-carboy.html

[Joerg]

Post by baloonon

Post by Joerg

Post by Bob F
You could lay plastic wrap over the bucket, cut a hole for the air
trap, then add the lid.

Good idea. Hoping that the wrap won't break into small chunks and sail
into the beer when I open it for racking off to secondary.

You could also just put plastic wrap over the bucket and cut a small
hole in the side of the fermenter near the top, stick in a short bit of
tubing that you bend to face up, and put your airlock in the top of the
tube. I'd say that's more trouble than it's worth. Probably better
just to budget for a new bucket.

Or go all out and stick a web cam through a port. Then you can sit in
your living room and watch the "Kraeusen Channel" :-)

I have a wireless thermometer on one of the fermenters so I can see from
the living room what it's doing temperature-wise.

Sure, I could buy a new bucket but my environmental conscience is
against that.

Post by baloonon
Some day I want to cut a hole in a fermenter and glue a piece of acrylic
in place with aquarium adhesive so I can see what's going on, although I
have to admit that's also more trouble than it's worth. I think when
https://www.morebeer.com/products/fermonster-7-gallon-carboy.html

Those could be hard to clean. I am using three 5-gallon water cooler
bottles for secondary and after there was a fairly aggressive beer in
one of them it's tough to clean. I had to bend long bottle brush and
it's still tough. On the 6.5-gallon buckets I can just reach in with a
sponge and PBW.

One guy who sat next to me at Mraz Brewing last year has the ultimate
man cave. A huge wall-to-wall library and in the middle of the room two
items, a large easy-chair with reading lamp and a huge stainless steel
conical fermenter.

[baloonon]

Post by Joerg
Sure, I could buy a new bucket but my environmental conscience is
against that.

They have uses after they're retired. I use one for a trash can
outside. They're good for storing brewing ingredients and equipment,
mixing up fertilizer for plants, storing grass seed....

Post by Joerg

Post by baloonon
Some day I want to cut a hole in a fermenter and glue a piece of
acrylic in place with aquarium adhesive so I can see what's going
on, although I have to admit that's also more trouble than it's
worth. I think when it's time for a new one, I may get something
https://www.morebeer.com/products/fermonster-7-gallon-carboy.html

Those could be hard to clean. I am using three 5-gallon water cooler
bottles for secondary and after there was a fairly aggressive beer in
one of them it's tough to clean. I had to bend long bottle brush and
it's still tough. On the 6.5-gallon buckets I can just reach in with a
sponge and PBW.

I've read people saying that the lid is wide enough that it's easy to
reach inside for cleaning. The specs say the opening is 4 inches, which
I think would be fine for getting my hand inside with some kind of
sponge on a handle. If I do order one at some point, I'd definitely
want to measure more carefully to see if it would work.

Post by Joerg
One guy who sat next to me at Mraz Brewing last year has the ultimate
man cave. A huge wall-to-wall library and in the middle of the room
two items, a large easy-chair with reading lamp and a huge stainless
steel conical fermenter.

I'd love to be able to justify spending for one of those, and even more
having an integrated system that lets you go from grinding grain to mash
to boil to ferment to keg all in one place, but I can't even begin to
imagine how I'd have to rip apart my basement to make that work.

[Joerg]

Post by baloonon

Post by Joerg
Sure, I could buy a new bucket but my environmental conscience is
against that.

They have uses after they're retired. I use one for a trash can
outside. They're good for storing brewing ingredients and equipment,
mixing up fertilizer for plants, storing grass seed....

True but we already have so many buckets and containers for those jobs.

Post by baloonon

Post by Joerg

Post by baloonon
Some day I want to cut a hole in a fermenter and glue a piece of
acrylic in place with aquarium adhesive so I can see what's going
on, although I have to admit that's also more trouble than it's
worth. I think when it's time for a new one, I may get something
https://www.morebeer.com/products/fermonster-7-gallon-carboy.html

Those could be hard to clean. I am using three 5-gallon water cooler
bottles for secondary and after there was a fairly aggressive beer in
one of them it's tough to clean. I had to bend long bottle brush and
it's still tough. On the 6.5-gallon buckets I can just reach in with a
sponge and PBW.

I've read people saying that the lid is wide enough that it's easy to
reach inside for cleaning. The specs say the opening is 4 inches, which
I think would be fine for getting my hand inside with some kind of
sponge on a handle. If I do order one at some point, I'd definitely
want to measure more carefully to see if it would work.

Also, measure your hands. Mine would not go through a 4" hole.

Post by baloonon

Post by Joerg
One guy who sat next to me at Mraz Brewing last year has the ultimate
man cave. A huge wall-to-wall library and in the middle of the room
two items, a large easy-chair with reading lamp and a huge stainless
steel conical fermenter.

I'd love to be able to justify spending for one of those, and even more
having an integrated system that lets you go from grinding grain to mash
to boil to ferment to keg all in one place, but I can't even begin to
imagine how I'd have to rip apart my basement to make that work.

You don't need much spacer for that but a beefy bank account. Nice thing
about a conical fermenter is that there is no more racking to secondary.
Snatching some yeast is easy. However, since I generally have 4-5 brews
in the works between the primary and secondary fermenters I'd need five
of those. I am married, so, no way :-)