rubber grommets

[wineview]

I would like to convert some of my juice bucket covers to accept an air lock. I bought a package years ago but I don't remember where and they seem small. I was experimenting with a drill size and a 1/2" bit seems to work for the grommets I have and a 1/4" OD hose fits snug. When I compared mine to a fermenting bucket with a grommet already installed, it seemed larger. Just about a 3/4" OD. Where do most of you get them?

 

[winemaker81]

I use drilled stoppers

 

[mainshipfred]

Morewine has them if this is what you are looking for.

https://www.morebeer.com/products/a...Oww7pqUJeeA1ynVtNmbNVQA6yPzL_9ZhoC2pwQAvD_BwE

 

[wineview]

I use drilled stoppers

What size drill bit? Can you get a clean hole?

 

[distancerunner]

Some juice buckets have a raised circular wall that surrounds the hole. That will have to be removed if using the grommets Fred mentioned.

Or you can spend five minutes of frustration trying to fit the grommet. Colorful language is optional.

 

[winemaker81]

What size drill bit? Can you get a clean hole?

I purchase pre-drilled stoppers. For purpose made primary fermenters, #3 stoppers fit the hole.

In a thread earlier today, a table of stopper dimensions was posted. Unfortunately, I can't recall which one, but it was posted in the last couple hours.

 

[wineview]

Some juice buckets have a raised circular wall that surrounds the hole. That will have to be removed if using the grommets Fred mentioned.

Or you can spend five minutes of frustration trying to fit the grommet. Colorful language is optional.

Yes I am familiar with that raised part. A very sharp mat knife is required.

 

[BigDaveK]

Last year I needed to increase the number of lids for vegetable fermentation. Uses the same airlocks. Decided to go with food grade silicone. They worked very nicely. Like these -

https://www.amazon.com/Masontops-Si...jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==
Don't know what size hole. I have step drill bits. They're conical and make about a dozen different sized holes. Very convenient.

 

[DaveMcC]

I have drilled lids to accept rubber stoppers with holes for bubblers/airlock. A trick I learned from a tradesman is, when cutting plastic barrels, to use a hole saw but run it backwards. This scores the plastic much more evenly and lets you control the cut with less tear-out. I think 1.25" or 1.5" is close, but would need to check. Don't use a regular twist bit or spade bit. These will rip the plastic and leave a non-airtight edge on the whole. A Forstner bit might work also.

 

[CDrew]

A Forstner bit works great. I've adopted several sealed lids to accept a regular stopper and airlock.

 

[barryjo]

I use a 1 1/4 hole saw to make a hole for an #8 1/2 stopper. Drilled. I can check contents without opening lid. Much easier. Also easier to add liquids or to stir contents.

 

[mikewatkins727]

What size drill bit? Can you get a clean hole?

Use a 1/2 inch Forstner bit