How to plug a tap hole in a fermenter?

[MagnusTS]

I bought a new mini-sized FV (10L) to go on my new mini-sized fermentation fridge.

Unfortunately the hole for the tap has already been drilled, and the FV will not fit in the fridge with a tap on it.

What's the best way to plug the tap hole? Just stick a bung in it? Any ideas?

Anyone seen one of these rectangle shaped 10L FVs outside of Italy?

Thanks!

 

[terrym]

Reverse the tap so the backing nut is outside?

 

[Pezza24]

Fit the tap back to front so it will fit?

 

[AnimatedGIF]

Anyone seen one of these rectangle shaped 10L FVs outside of Italy?

I have that FV. Got it for my 5L stovetop brews.

 

[MagnusTS]

I have that FV. Got it for my 5L stovetop brews.

Did it come ready drilled for the tap, or did you have to drill it yourself?

 

[AnimatedGIF]

It came ready-drilled, and the tap and airlock were included. It was hard work fitting the tap while trying to avoid cross threading on the shaft. Ended up filing the hole a little.

 

[Binkei Huckaback]

A short length of copper tube, silicon/rubber washer and end cap

 

[Wynne]

Fit a bung from the inside so it can’t pop out?

 

[MickDundee]

Duck tape

 

[Buffers brewery]

If you don’t like the idea of “bodging it” and the hole is a standard size for a bsp fitting, you could fit a stainless steel flanged blanking plug with a rubber washer and secured with a stainless steel nut. Cost about £10 I guess

 

[An Ankoù]

A rubber bung is likely to taint the beer. It doesn't normally come into contact with the beer.

 

[Cwrw666]

A rubber bung is likely to taint the beer. It doesn't normally come into contact with the beer.

Yeah, me and Mrs Cwrw can't even drink homemade wine made in a demijohn with a rubber bung. It just tastes of rubber. Horrible, and in that case the rubber bung isn't even in contact with the wine.
I'd go with Buffers sugestion.

 

[MagnusTS]

If you don’t like the idea of “bodging it” and the hole is a standard size for a bsp fitting, you could fit a stainless steel flanged blanking plug with a rubber washer and secured with a stainless steel nut. Cost about £10 I guess

Thanks everyone. I found these blanking plugs on eBay. Will see if they work. I had to buy a pack of 10, so if anyone else has a hole to plug, just let me know.

 

[Buffers brewery]

Thanks everyone. I found these blanking plugs on eBay. Will see if they work. I had to buy a pack of 10, so if anyone else has a hole to plug, just let me know.

View attachment 34771

Not wishing to put the hebegebies up you but I’m sure you know these are intended for use on “non-food” installations, mainly electrical trunking etc. The plastic material is possibly ok but is it food grade? Will the beer leach nasty plasticisers out of the moulding?

 

[MagnusTS]

Not wishing to put the hebegebies up you but I’m sure you know these are intended for use on “non-food” installations, mainly electrical trunking etc. The plastic material is possibly ok but is it food grade? Will the beer leach nasty plasticisers out of the moulding?

bugger. Thanks.

Stainless steel you say...

 

[Mavroz]

Thanks everyone. I found these blanking plugs on eBay. Will see if they work. I had to buy a pack of 10, so if anyone else has a hole to plug, just let me know.

View attachment 34771

Someone has already said similar while i was typing but these blanking plugs are meant to be used for blanking / filling 25mm holes on electrical boxes. They will not be food grade and doubt they will seal a fermenter.

 

[Buffers brewery]

Have a look here...

https://www.pipedreamfittings.com/product/hexagon-plug-bspt-stainless-steel/
https://www.pipedreamfittings.com/product/hexagon-lock-nut-din-431-stainless-steel/
Check the size of your tap thread size. You should be able to use the rubber washer off your tap.

 

[Leon103]

Just make sure they are genuine stainless steel

 

[Buffers brewery]

Looking at your original post, you might be able to use the nut from your tap if it’s a BSP thread.

 

[terrym]

There's more toxic harm in the % alcohol you consume in your beer than a few ppb of plasticiser that may or may not leach into your beer if you use the plugs you have ordered.
Whether they seal or not is another matter.