I opened a super pail of grain and took about half out to use over the next few weeks or so, but now I can't get the lid to close tightly again. To open it required a wrench that was included when I bought the pail. How can it be re-closed tightly? I tried pushing it down and also tried pounding it down to no avail. Help!

-- (need@help.please), December 13, 1999

Answers

The purpose of the lid wrench that came with the bucket is to allow you to get the lid off without damaging it but a lot of folks try to lever the lid off all in one go which then bends the lid. The thing to do is use the wrench to lift the lid only a little bit in one place and then move over a couple of inches and lift again. Do this five or six times, a bit at a time, and the lid will pop off undamaged.

If your lid isn't too warped try getting a flat piece of board longer than the lid is wide. Put it on the lid and whack it with a hammer, turn the board a couple of inches and repeat the procedure. You may have to do this three or four times. This should put even pressure on the lid all the way around and cause it to seat.

If this doesn't work, you may need to replace the lid. Most hardware/paint stores will have lids, just make sure it has a rubber gasket in it. The bucket contents generally doesn't come into any meaningful contact with the lid so it's OK if it's not food grade.

...........Alan.

The Prudent Food Storage FAQ, v3.5

http://www.providenceco-op.com

-- A.T. Hagan (athagan@sprintmail.com), December 13, 1999.

You can purchase "gamma" seal lids, which snap on but have a screw-off center portion that you can open without snapping the main lid off.

I got mine from Gary Olen's Sportsman's Guide.

Item #D99C-21951, $5.97 each

OR

4 for $19.97.

You can call them at 1-800-888-3006.

Before your gamma seal lids arrive (assuming you order some), you could always put a couple of layers of plastic wrap over the top of the bucket and then tape it shut, but I don't know how effective that would be.

Hope this helps.

-- peg (peg@futureandahope.com), December 13, 1999.

Thank you Alan it worked fine. I will check into those other lids too Peg.

-- (need@help.nomore), December 13, 1999.

If you haven't got one as part of your preps I suggest you run out and pick up a good sized rubber-headed mallet. It's the *right* tool for this job.

-- Choirboy (choirboy@hellzchoir.edu), December 13, 1999.

To remove regular plastic lids get an EZ-off plastic lid opener. Try following types of stores.....paint, janitoral or hardware. The cost should be around $3.

-- tc (trashcan-man@webtv.net), December 16, 1999.