# Broken bucket lid while fermenting **URL:** \ **Category:** General Homebrew Discussion\ **Created:** [June 15, 2010, 2:39pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/broken-bucket-lid-while-fermenting/2270 "2010-06-15T14:39:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jtconrad74](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c0e974/32.png) [@jtconrad74](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/jtconrad74)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 2:39pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/broken-bucket-lid-while-fermenting/2270/1 "2010-06-15T14:39:32Z")
Hey everyone!  Long story short, I had 5 gallons fermenting in a bucket in my basement and my wife (who is now recovering in the ICU from the incident - haha, just kidding) unfortunately didn’t turn the light on in the room and set a heavy box right on top of the bucket and the airlock.  The airlock bent over and it cracked the lid by the airlock hole.  I didn’t see it till last night, so it had been that way for about 4 days.  Is the beer ruined because oxygen got in there or should I try to keg it?  The crack was about 1 inch long from where the airlock hole is.  The beer is just a simple American light ale. Any advice will be appreciated! ---
**Author:** ![richardt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@richardt](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/richardt)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 2:50pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/broken-bucket-lid-while-fermenting/2270/2 "2010-06-15T14:50:09Z")
Tape the crack and continue using the airlock or just keep the lid on and put a plastic cup (e.g., Solo) upside down over the hole and crack.  It will keep the bacteria and wild yeast from settling down on the hole or crack.  The active fermentation is producing CO2 which is provides positive pressure and a protective blanket over the beer.  Try to avoid any splashing during lifting and transfer so no beer touches the lid.  You’ll be fine for this batch.  Order another lid before you do your next batch. ---
**Author:** ![jtconrad74](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c0e974/32.png) [@jtconrad74](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/jtconrad74)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 3:02pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/broken-bucket-lid-while-fermenting/2270/3 "2010-06-15T15:02:31Z")
It’s actually been fermenting for 2-1/2 weeks and I was going to keg it up last night.  Will it still be cool to keep? ---
**Author:** ![hamiltont](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/df705f/32.png) [@hamiltont](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/hamiltont)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 3:06pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/broken-bucket-lid-while-fermenting/2270/4 "2010-06-15T15:06:01Z")
Go ahead & keg it!  The odds of something getting in there and causing havoc with your beer is somewhere between slim & none. ---
**Author:** ![bluesman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@bluesman](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/bluesman)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 3:08pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/broken-bucket-lid-while-fermenting/2270/5 "2010-06-15T15:08:22Z")
It should be fine. The CO2 production during fermentation helps keep undesireables at bay. Keep in mind that some breweries even until this day conduct open fermentations. I wouldn’t worry about it, but I would make sure the wife is aware of your brewing schedule.  ;) ---
**Author:** ![jtconrad74](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c0e974/32.png) [@jtconrad74](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/jtconrad74)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 3:24pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/broken-bucket-lid-while-fermenting/2270/6 "2010-06-15T15:24:53Z")
Haha - nice!  I have been reading up on open fermentations and it makes sense.  thanks for the info!!!