Should I tape the bung to the carboy?

[ansky285]

Hi, first time wine-maker here. Over the weekend i racked my juice into 5-gallon carboys and topped off with some bottled wine. I got the carboys, bung and air lock from North Mountain supply and once I put them in the neck they pop up within 2 seconds. I can take them off pretty easily and am concerned I don't have a tight enough seal to prevent oxygen from getting in. I can confirm these bungs are not wet and I've tried twisting and pushing to keep them down. At this point, is it safe to tape them down with saran wrap and duct tape? Should I be worried about the gas buildup in the carboy? Thanks in advance!

 

[Ohio Bob]

I dunk the stopper/airlock in vodka or Everclear then insert the stopper/airlock while giving it a turn. Hold it in place for 1-2 seconds. Then check the airlock level to see that a positive pressure is maintained. Rarely have I had a fit so bad that I’ve had to try a different stopper.

Taping it in place is also a method if you feel safe about it. There is no pressure in the carboy. Pressure is released via the bubbles coming from the airlock.

And if by “bung” you mean a solid stopper, NEVER do that unless your wine is absolutely dry and there is no danger of offgassing or residual fermentation. That could blow the bung off the carboy.

 

[tubalcain]

Yup, I had the same problem with the slippery, squishy, silicon, North Mountain supply air lock stoppers. They have known about the problem for a long time but continue to sell the useless stoppers. The old hard rubber stoppers work.

 

[tubalcain]

And I have found that these are really good, https://www.amazon.com/Fermentology...1727734370&sprefix=carboy+caps,aps,137&sr=8-5

 

[ansky285]

I dunk the stopper/airlock in vodka or Everclear then insert the stopper/airlock while giving it a turn. Hold it in place for 1-2 seconds. Then check the airlock level to see that a positive pressure is maintained. Rarely have I had a fit so bad that I’ve had to try a different stopper.

Taping it in place is also a method if you feel safe about it. There is no pressure in the carboy. Pressure is released via the bubbles coming from the airlock.

And if by “bung” you mean a solid stopper, NEVER do that unless your wine is absolutely dry and there is no danger of offgassing or residual fermentation. That could blow the bung off the carboy.

I have a stopper with a hole in the middle for the airlock. It's a piece of plastic with 2 reservoirs if that makes sense? Kind of looks like the attached pic. Can you explain what you mean by positive pressure? You got me wondering if I have the right amount of water in there and if it's set up right. Thanks!

 

[ansky285]

And I have found that these are really good, https://www.amazon.com/Fermentology-Carboy-Caps-Silicone-Fermenting/dp/B09BWPSDGN/ref=sr_1_5_pp?crid=27VOWEAB99I94&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.iJKcHHAyMB6oVS8R7RLuKKvByjqs4V2YUQ1BBF-in9P9FrZ0THXzNkQm-nvRqwFRFt6J2CRFu_CdQ5QopaXU53mT4YvElDYBhYv8RxIzS3UENgHLmR5bEtp4ukcz-NU_RjxCjzzs5-1mqyV1zd3S1Px3OuOXM_K6J4tO5WRqj0M1tQjUgX2MPiHmZNlo6zWtpjNv1e_4Ymwibg8wWiYMLmLWIZAWFe2yJnHwE-u5wKxTPI2yeRQHkuF1CK9ZIUR2RmhIdikL0oMcQACbb-D8s8xLiMxXpw5cYOqVuNJ-ysM.8VJKG6eIPjTRd6gxT7L8FH3VTmr3ex2q3nb8UOiFcGM&dib_tag=se&keywords=carboy+caps&qid=1727734370&sprefix=carboy+caps,aps,137&sr=8-5

Those are pretty interesting. Have you used them before and they worked?

 

[Ohio Bob]

So these are called S-type airlocks, looks like the letter S. If you take one in your hand and fill it with water, the water level in each chamber will be at an equal level. When you attach that airlock to your carboy you will immediately see an increase in one chamber, and a decrease in the other chamber, indicating a pressure difference. When you let go, you should see the level stay roughly the same, at least not at equal levels. If the levels immediately drop to equal, then there is a leak somewhere.

 

[tubalcain]

Those are pretty interesting. Have you used them before and they worked?

I have 12 of the silicon caps in service now and with the S bubblers. They are very easy to use and trouble free, wish I had found them earlier.

 

[ansky285]

So these are called S-type airlocks, looks like the letter S. If you take one in your hand and fill it with water, the water level in each chamber will be at an equal level. When you attach that airlock to your carboy you will immediately see an increase in one chamber, and a decrease in the other chamber, indicating a pressure difference. When you let go, you should see the level stay roughly the same, at least not at equal levels. If the levels immediately drop to equal, then there is a leak somewhere.

Great information, thank you!

 

[ansky285]

I have 12 of the silicon caps in service now and with the S bubblers. They are very easy to use and trouble free, wish I had found them earlier.

I'm going to order them right now. Crossing my fingers they do the trick. Thanks for sharing!

 

[tubalcain]

I'm going to order them right now. Crossing my fingers they do the trick. Thanks for sharing!

I would bet my sister-in law's reputation that you'll like them.

 

[1galbrewer2]

I have this problem all the time too. I hate it. The problem is that santiziting the stopper makes it wet. I pour boiling water on it to help sanitize and let it dry quickly. The everclear/vodka trick mentioned is a cool one. I’ll have to try it.

 

[1galbrewer2]

Those are pretty interesting. Have you used them before and they worked?

I’m also interested. Just started using one last night, but I’m nervous about how airtight they are for bulk aging.

 

[Ohio Bob]

I have this problem all the time too. I hate it. The problem is that santiziting the stopper makes it wet. I pour boiling water on it to help sanitize and let it dry quickly. The everclear/vodka trick mentioned is a cool one. I’ll have to try it.

You might also try wetting a paper towel in vodka/Everclear and carefully wipe the inside of the carboy neck.

 

[user 32114]

I bulk age for years at a time, i use the small universal bung, as well i only use S-type airlocks, they keep from going dry 5 to 6 times longer then a 3 piece airlock, maybe even longer, the universal is called a universal because you can flip it upside down to airlock a wine bottle,
Dawg

 

[ansky285]

Hi all, back with an update. I got those Silicon stoppers and put the S locks in. At first they were great - the water levels weren't even but after 24 hours I noticed that they were. Do I need to adjust this every day? Should I get some clamps to go around the neck of the bottle and make it real tight? Or, does that pressure difference only matter in the beginning and I'm wrong to think the levels should stay uneven? Thanks in advance.

 

[chicken]

I always seem to have one carboy with a stopper that won't stay put, and in desperation I have tightly wrapped plastic wrap around it or taped it.

 

[user 32114]

Gorilla Glue ? lol,,,,
JUST JOKING!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dawg

 

[bstnh1]

I've never had a problem with bungs pushing up in the neck of a carboy at any stage.

 

[MarkeyMark80]

I have 12 of the silicon caps in service now and with the S bubblers. They are very easy to use and trouble free, wish I had found them earlier.

How do you sanitize the caps?