Thanks for the specifics.
Darlene

"Jack Keller" > wrote in message
om...
> > ...that is a neat idea - what your wife made as a top for it.
>
> She has also made me several muslin tops for my 6- and 7-gallon
> primary buckets. She cuts the circle about 6 inches wider in diameter
> than the top (i.e. 3 inches all around), darts the 3-inch overhang to
> turn the muslin downwards, and then sews a hem and threads the elastic
> through it before finishing. They fit snug and keep everything out -
> dust, dog hairs, flying insects. If you buy good muslin, you get a
> high thread-count weave and that is much better than a plain cotton
> weave for keeping out the microscopic stuff, although this too is a
> matter of relativity. The tops wash and dry easily and store folded
> in ZipLoc bags. Most importantly, they allow the must exposure to air
> those first critical 48-72 hours when the yeast is largely just
> multiplying and needs O2 exposure. After that, you can use the
> plastic lids that come with the buckets, either with or without
> airlock, but I tend not to do that
>
> Jack Keller