Hands On Review: Gamma Seal Lids for Homebrew Grain Storage
Buckets are… Good for Grain Storage
Buckets are cheap and efficient containers for storing bulk homebrewing malts. They are generally sturdy and cost effective. Since they stack, they are also space efficient. Search Amazon for “food safe buckets”
How Much Grain Can You Store in a 5 Gallon Bucket?
My general rule of thumb for unmilled malt storage is 5 lbs per gallon. That means a 5 gallon bucket would hold about 25 lbs. Two x buckets would hold a full 50 lb bag of malt. That’s a rough estimate. Actual storage capacities will vary.
The Problem… Lids
I’ll group standard bucket lids into two categories.
- First… relatively easy to install and remove and…. questionable on air-tightness. No o-rings or gaskets. They go on fairly easy and come off relatively easy. Sometimes too easily, I’ve had this style pop off on their own.
- Second… sturdy, airtight lids… that require the power of Thor to remove. These are gasketed and seal well but are tough to remove. They’re so hard to remove, they make tools to do it. If you’re stuck with these lids, those are worth a look. Search Amazon for “bucket lid opener” to see what’s out there.
The Fix… Gamma Seal Lids!
High quality, gasketed lids do exist for 5 gallon buckets. The problem with these lids is… they are usually difficult to remove, sometimes very difficult. The revolutionary thing about Gamma Seal lids is that the ring stays installed on the bucket. That ring is used in conjunction with an easy to remove spin off lid that features airtight seals. Airtight + Easy to Use = Whammo!
Related Review, Review Continues Below:
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Outfitting your buckets with Gamma Seal Lids allow you to convert relatively cheap buckets into easy to use, airtight grain storage containers.
Hands on Review Gamma Seal Lids for Homebrew Grain Storage
Gamma Seal Lids, are used in conjunction with standard buckets. Gamma Seals feature a two part design. A ring that stays installed on your buckets and a inner screw off lid.
Underside of the lid with label. (click on the picture for a closer view)
Close up on the top portion of the label. These fit standard 3.5 to 7 gallon buckets. Other listed features: Heavy Duty, Easy to open and close and unlimited uses.
Close up of bottom left portion of the label includes assembly instructions and Made in the USA label.
The gasket
Gamma Seal Lid Replacement Gaskets:
![Captain O-Ring – Upgraded Replacement O-Ring Seal Gasket for Gamma2 Vittles Vault Pet Food Container Lid (2 Pack) [10” or 12” Lid Sizes] (5.0 Lid O-Rings (Lid just under 12") [2 Pack])](https://www.homebrewfinds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/51AL0niXNkL._AC_SL1500_-400x271.jpg)
Replacement gaskets are also available. These are available in two sizes. 2.0 and 5.0 for 2 gallon and 5 gallon size gamma seal lids respectively.
- Captain O-Ring – Upgraded Replacement O-Ring Seal Gasket for Gamma2 Vittles Vault Pet Food Container Lid (2 Pack) [10” or 12” Lid Sizes] (5.0 Lid O-Rings (Lid just under 12″) [2 Pack])
- Additional offerings are available – search Amazon for “Gamma Seal Lid Gasket Replacement” to shop around
Gamma Seal Lid Installed
Here you can see both parts, the ring that remains installed and the easy spin off and on lid.
Top view, ring installed on bucket
Top view of lid
Conclusions
These are well made and worked great. These combined with food rated buckets are a great option for grain storage. I’ve used (many) of these for years with great success. For kits, I’ll generally store 1 kit per bucket (less the parts that need refrigerated) and leave the contents in any bags they came in. For bulk grains, I’ll generally remove those from any packaging and put them right in Gamma Seal Lid-outfitted buckets.
After years of use, I can heartily recommend these as upgrades to your grain storage buckets.
Check Current Price and Availability:
Note: There are lots of colors and counts of Gamma Seal Lids available Search amazon for Gamma Seal Lids to shop around
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Gamma Seal Lids – Spin Off, Airtight Bucket Lids [Grain Storage]… $8.44 w/35% Off Coupon
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Make sure the components you use are compatible and rated for your intended application. Contact manufacturer with questions about suitability or a specific application. Always read and follow manufacturer directions. tag:lnksfxd review:gammaseals tag:tpr
I use one of these on my primary fermenter. I’ve done about 4 brews with it. I drilled a hole in the exact middle of the lid for the airlock and it works great. Leaves just enough clearance for the handle and my knuckles to clear it while transporting it.
The ring around the top CAN be a great place for bacteria to grow so after removing the beer I spray hot water along the bottom of the ring with the vegetable sprayer on my sink. Then I fill the bucket all the way to the top with super hot water and PBW, put the lid on and let it sit overnight. The next day I drain thoroughly rinse, set upside down to dry and then put it away with the lid on tight. So far, I have never had an infection. Even on big beers when the krausen reached the lid, they turned out fine.
Has anyone tried these lids on a fermenter yet? My current lids are getting old and seem to leak a little.
Could anyone comment on using these as a primary bucket lid by drilling a grommet hole for an airlock? Do they seal tight enough for that? Seems like twisting it off would be more ideal than popping off the regular lids which could shake up trub? Make sense?
I believe that they are tight enough for this to work. My concern would be cleaning and sanitizing. Awful lot of space in nooks and crannies that would be hard to clean and sanitize. If you were planning to completely remove the outer ring every time, I think it would be fine.