Fermentor

[Pilori]

I moved to Ireland from the US about a year ago and have been brewing for about two years. I didn't do any last year here in Ireland, but I decided to invest in some equipment finally and get started. I got an AG setup from Homebrewcompany.ie but I'm pretty disappointed by the seal on the fermentors that I got - they seem really flimsy and not to properly seal.

Does anyone have any recommendations for some good fermentors here? Back in the US I used a bucket with a really nice airtight seal for my primary and then some Better Bottles as my secondaries, generally.

[Eoin]

You don't need a good seal on the primary. But, entertaining your notion and preference, what brand of bucket is it?

Sent using a complex system of semaphore and ninjas.

[Pilori]

Thanks for the reply!

I know that I technically don't need a good seal on the primary, but for aeration it would be nice if it sealed well and as well as being able to see very well what is going on in the airlock.

I think it's one of these guys:

http://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/33-litre-fermentation-vessel-graduated-p-1986.html

Back in the US I had something along the lines of this bucket and I had a couple of these Better Bottles:

http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/brewing/brewing-equipment/fermenting-equipment/brewing-fermenting-buckets/7-9-gal-fermenting-bucket.html

http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/better-bottle-plain-6-gallon.html

[Eoin]

HomeBrewWest do better bottles. Also Youngs fermenters are pretty good normally and are specialists.

Sent using a complex system of semaphore and ninjas.

[Eoin]

I'm a lay the lid on the top of the fermenter type :-)

Sent using a complex system of semaphore and ninjas.

[Will_D]

... but I'm pretty disappointed by the seal on the fermentors that I got - they seem really flimsy and not to properly seal.

If in doubt use more lubricant

I would highly recomend a fellow Americans invention:

  viz. Mr Chesebrough's "Rod Wax" discovery : Aka Vaseline

BTW: Seriously welcome to the site.

Some of my fermenters seal no problem others don't!

[Greg2013]

Thanks for the reply!

I know that I technically don't need a good seal on the primary, but for aeration it would be nice if it sealed well and as well as being able to see very well what is going on in the airlock.

I think it's one of these guys:

http://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/33-litre-fermentation-vessel-graduated-p-1986.html

Back in the US I had something along the lines of this bucket and I had a couple of these Better Bottles:

http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/brewing/brewing-equipment/fermenting-equipment/brewing-fermenting-buckets/7-9-gal-fermenting-bucket.html

http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/better-bottle-plain-6-gallon.html

Welcome to the site from a fellow beginner. I also use those exact buckets and tbh you are never going to get a 100% seal with those or any other bucket of similar design. The very nature of pulling the lid off and on means it will never be 100% circular and will always be slightly bent :

[Damofto]

The buckets in Alpack seem to have great seals, cheap too. They don't have any markings and you'll have to drill a hole in the lid and add a grommet for your airlock

http://www.alpack.ie/VC105__30_Litre_Bucket/Default.710.html

[Greg2013]

Thanks for the reply!

I know that I technically don't need a good seal on the primary, but for aeration it would be nice if it sealed well and as well as being able to see very well what is going on in the airlock.

I think it's one of these guys:

http://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/33-litre-fermentation-vessel-graduated-p-1986.html

Back in the US I had something along the lines of this bucket and I had a couple of these Better Bottles:

http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/brewing/brewing-equipment/fermenting-equipment/brewing-fermenting-buckets/7-9-gal-fermenting-bucket.html

http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/better-bottle-plain-6-gallon.html

Welcome to the site from a fellow beginner. I also use those exact buckets and tbh you are never going to get a 100% seal with those or any other bucket of similar design. The very nature of pulling the lid off and on means it will never be 100% circular and will always be slightly bent :

I hasten to add this has nothing to do with the home brew shops here selling these items as they don't manufacture them.

[Pilori]

Of course, I know they don't manufacture them I just was expecting a bit better seal.

Thanks for all the nice welcomes!

[johnrm]

I've always found the translucent buckets from Home Brew West to have good seals.

[Pilori]

I was recommended the Brewferm ones from them

[ColMack]

I agree with Damofto on the Alpack buckets.  They have a very solid seal.

[Taf]

I agree with Damofto on the Alpack buckets.  They have a very solid seal.

I actually find the seal nearly too tight at times, as can be a struggle to open them without applying pressure and distubing the contents.

[iBrau]

My fermenting buckets have started to leak air slightly. I expect I've dented the top rim of the bucket and created little gaps where it mates with the lid. This has led to less bubbler activity than I used see before.

The solution is to make a strip of cling-film which I place all the way round the circumference of the rim of the bucket before placing the lid on. This acts as a sealing gasket to plug those imperfections in the bucket rim. The result is a good air seal and full bubbler activity once again. To make the clingfilm strip I simply tear off enough to go round the rim and then fold it in half or in 3 lengthwise to make a thinner strip which is a few layers thick. Easy out!