Lid options for 50gallon drum

For fermentation, a sheet of plastic, plexiglass or plywood will do. It doesn't need to be airtight; it's mainly to keep bugs out and the CO2 from blowing away.

I doubt it. That sounds like a lid for a variable capacity tank. You'd have to buy the tank too.

Tom S

Pete,

For a tighter seal, say, for an extended maceration, consider a round piece of Plexiglas, of plywood, or even just plastic sheet, and the copious use of duct tape. It might not be pretty, but it doesn't have to be.

HTH, MIke MTM

Pete wrote:

Pete, We use bed linens or some other cloth to "cover" the must to keep bugs out. As Tom S eludes to, using a less permeable barrier will hold more of the CO2 within the environment directly surrounding the must to protect against nasties but I've done 10-12 day ferments on skins using just bed linens and a strapping mechanism just fine.

I plan on leaving this out in the garage, so I don't want to get anything in it.

The plexiglass route seems the best. I will have to see how much it costs.

Pete,

For my 55gal poly drum, I use a thick plastic cover with elastic ends during primary fermentation. It's like a big shower cap. I got mine at:

After primary fermentation, you can purchase a Variable Capacity lid at most places that sell the whole units. They may have one that matches your inside diameter. They can get expensive, depending on the size. Scroll to the bottom of the following link to the "Replacement Lids for Variable Capacity Tanks" section:

I have no affiliation with these sites.

Good luck, David

Pete,

THere was really nothing wrong with the beginning of his process it was when the primary was almost complete he didn't transfer into a secondary fermenter with little airspace and an air lock. I've heard of guys who press based on religous holidays and not brix and I'm sure he fell into that catagory.

Bob

He would add pounds and pounds of sugar Shooting for 20% "wine"

Used whatever grapes he could get cheap, concord and what not.

"Moonshine" to me..

It was brown in the bottle.