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Securing the bung

Here's a problem that I haven't seen discussed before. Sometimes, not always, when I attach a bung to a carboy it refuses to stay seated. This seems to be independent of whether the bung is drilled for an airlock or not, so I'm fairly sure that it has nothing to do with fermentation. If the carboy and bung are very dry then it is less likely to happen. It also seems to happen the most with my carboys that have a mouth only a little smaller than the largest dimension of the bung.

My "method" of securing the bung is with duck tape. Not very convenient, but effective so far.

Is this typical? Do you think it will happen less if I get slightly larger bungs? Any other thoughts?

Thanks in advance, Dave

Reply to
Dave
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Hi Dave,

Yes... I have experienced this also. I put cellophane around the bung and push it in tight; that seems the do the trick.

-Paul

Reply to
Paul S. Remington

I've had that problem to. Part of it seems to be that the place where I buy my bungs and airlocks seem to change their suppliers every now and then. And since I didn't realize this I have some bungs which only go with certain airlocks. After further investigation, it appears that I have these airlocks which are just a tad larger than the others so I need just a bit smaller bung. You wouldn't think it would make a difference since I make only one gallon batches.... Anyway, I have size 6 bung which go with this one type of airlock, and 6 1/2 bungs to go with the other kind. Darlene

Reply to
Dar V

Sounds like your bung is too large for the vessel you want it to seal... Try 1/2 size smaller bung and it should solve the problem.

Later, A. J. Rawls Anchorage, Alaska, USA

Reply to
A.J. Rawls

Hi Paul,

Thanks! That seems to be working perfectly.

Dave

Reply to
Dave

It's actually "duct" tape, but thanks for creating a hilarious image in my mind. ;-)

Brian

Reply to
Brian Lundeen

This is a very common problem. Dry the stopper with a paper towel. Then wrap the paper towel around your finger and dry the inside of the neck as far down as the bung will reach. If the stopper fails to hold - repeat. Both must be absolutely dry.

Ray

Reply to
Ray

Dave, I had this problem many years ago until someone watched me seat a bung and asked if they ever popped out. I said yes, and he said to take it out and try seating it with just a little clockwise rotation as I was pushing down. I don't think I've had a bung pop out more than twice in the intervening 23 or so years. Also, it does help if the bung is the proper size, as A.J. mentioned. It sounds like yours are a tad too large, but even then the twist helps tremendously.

Jack Keller, The Winemaking Home Page

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Reply to
Jack Keller

Did you try a different type bung? As far as I know, there are 2 types of bungs. The first type is the solid rubber type and the second is the"hollow" bung shaped like a thimble. I think the later is called a "universal" bung since it is more like a one-size-fits-all bung. I use both types.

Reply to
Steve

Brian you're right, but. .

Duct tape is now being sold by a company that markets it as "duck tape", and the product has an amusing picture of a duck on the packaging!

Gary

Reply to
corcoran

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