Removing the lid from the primary bucket

[msk]

I should have just accepted that it took so much effort to get on that I should have left it somewhat off. Perhaps with use, it becomes easier.

My carboy primary was unpleasantly hard to clean, so I got a bucket for my primary just because it seemed like a very affordable alternative to digging out the sponge from the 1.5 inch diameter hole. After wrestling with my 'ale pail' lid to get it to fit onto the bucket, I wondered if I could get it off without breaking the bones in my fingers. I tried to get it off before the bubbling started, and I could not get it off without shaking the bucket.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how they found the 6.5 gallon bucket lid could be removed without stirring up the sediment?

It seems silly sounding to me, but prevention of unsettling the sediment seems like the goal, so I ask. Will it just get easier with use, or is there a technique?

[gone_fishing]

It does get easier. I have two of these, the newer one is very hard to get the lid off, I just go around and around pulling a small area at a time until it comes off.

[hockeynut]

Don't worry it will get easier to work with. The do make a metal tool that I have seen to help get the lids off if you are interested. I just keep working it a little bit at a time as well. Gone Fishing has you on the right track!

Straddling the bucket and working the lid around the perimeter works for me and keeps the trub from mixing back in.

Good luck and stick with it.

[noby]

Just leave the lid loose on top of the bucket. That's all I do.

[Vienna Lager]

If you don't have a bottle brush that will reach all parts of your carboy take about a couple tablespoons of salt and put into the carboy. Next throw a bunch of ice cubes into the carboy then swirl around. The salt acts like grit and the cubes are the pressure to scour the crud off. Finally rinse thoroughly.

[Kyle_Draven]

Before your next batch put the lid on and take it off a couple of times. That way it is broke in when you have a batch in it. Just use the approach like Gone_fishing said. It's kinda like taking the rim off of a tire.

[Payson]

Go to your local home improvement store and look in the paint section for a 5 gallon lid remover. It costs a whopping 90 some odd cents and is specifically designed for that type of bucket. I've seen the exact same item in some home brew shops for about $5.00!!!

[Jughead]

For carboy cleaning...

Fill the carboy about 1/2 way with your cleaning solution. Turn it upside down and quickly jam it into your plastic bucket. Let it sit for a day or two, then rinse. Little or no scrubbing necessary.

[JohnnyV]

You could just get some sand paper and GENTLY sand around the top of the bucket just a bit. Should make it easier to get the lid on and off.

[The Beerbellian]

Most of the time I just pry around the lid a little at a time, I have, however, found that if you brew a high gravity beer, such as a stout, and don't strain it real well and use a regular bubbler, the top will often come off on it's own, usually at night when your asleep and can't quickly do something about it.

[corkybstewart]

I put a spigot near the bottom of each of my plastic buckets so I don't have to open it to rack my beer. I've also just stuck the racking tube throught the hole in the lid siphoned without opening the top and disturbing the yeast/trub cake. Then it doesn't matter how hard it is to get the lid off. I put my knee in the middle, put some weight on it and pull one spot on the edge until it somes loose.

[fuji6100]

I agree with payson. You can get a lid claw at wal-mart for 99 cents. You might pay 2-3 bucks for it at a hardware store, and up to 6 bucks at a LHBS.

Once you have a lid claw (they last a lifetime) you will never have any problems and you can seal that lid as tight as you want.

[cluckk]

When I have build up on the carboy that I can't get off with or reach with the brush I add about a cup of Ammonia and fill with water. That stuff eats anything off. Rinse well, and I've never had any taste issues.

[dancinwillie]

I also have to agree with payson, get an opener, they're cheap, and most importantly, non-abrasive.

[Mad Scientist]

Originally posted by The Beerbellian
Most of the time I just pry around the lid a little at a time, I have, however, found that if you brew a high gravity beer, such as a stout, and don't strain it real well and use a regular bubbler, the top will often come off on it's own, usually at night when your asleep and can't quickly do something about it.

Yeah, that would be my first batch....I woke up wondering what the yeasty smell was....sheesh...that was a heck of a mess....

[cluckk]

I've had big beers blow a regular airlock off and onto the top shelf of our pantry. Usually this spells M-E-S-S. I now start everything with a blow-off hose.