Gallon Jar Bungs/Lids Wood Choice

[Gr8brewer]

I Have to date 30 large mouth gallon jars. I'm Going to make a bunch of tapered bungs to fit inside due to the lid being metal with a synthetic lining not to mention they reek of the hot peppers that originally filled them. My question is can i use a softer wood such a poplar or should I use white oak. Its not my intention for the lid to impart flavor, I have a good supply of both American and European white oak spirals for that. I was thinking popular being a softer hardwood would be easier to work with. Are there any characteristics of poplar that would impart off flavor to my spirits? Could i use a softer wood such as pine and get more evaporation?

Cheers,
M

My cooperage

[cob]

gr8brewer: i'm having second thoughts about tapered plugs in glass jars. in ancient times the stone workers would use copper drills to bore holes in stone then they would drive dry wood plugs in the holes and pour water in the holes to soak the plugs. the plugs would swell and cleve the stone. try a dry plug in an empty jar drive it tight and soak it, i would bet it breaks the jar. a round wood cap with a dado around the edge and fit loose would cover the hole and breath but not offer any security, but a tapered wood plug would not offer any real security either. for woods, white oak and most maples are commonly used in contact with food, popler i have not seen in food application (no reason known or given), pine however has to much resin to use unless you like the taste of pine pitch. cob.
p.s. i have used the wood plug method to break concrete steps, it in verrrrrry slow, days, but it works. cob.

[Barney Fife]

Very true regarding the swelling wood being more than capable of breaking the jars, but if you start with fairly green wood(IE: freshly cut) or simply soak the plug a few hours in clean water to swell it -before- inserting into the jar, you shouldn't have any issues, as the wood will only shrink slightly from there. You could also make the plugs from two or three pieces, with a non-glued, but snug-fitting mortise and tenon joint between each piece, so that it may expand and contract at will, with the joint taking up the difference.

As for what woods, I'd stay with oak, as it breathes a bit, is stable, and if it adds anything to the spirits, we know it will be good. Other woods may be iffy. Maple is a favorite of mine for aging, but it's too hard, and relatively unstable, so it would be a poor choice to use as a lid

[Caprimulgus]

Large natural corks?

[Gr8brewer]

Id love to use cork but have no idea where id get them that big Lid is 3 1/8". If I could buy id be stoked I really would rather be making something else in that time?

[cob]

Id love to use cork but have no idea where id get them that big Lid is 3 1/8". If I could buy id be stoked I really would rather be making something else in that time?

don't get your hopes to high see the glue line. cob
http://www.mountainglassarts.com/s.nl/it.A/id.3099/.f" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

[Caprimulgus]

Is 3 1/8" the inner diameter of the jars neck?

Edit: No glue line on these.