What is the general thinking behind batch size vs. fermenter size to leave enough head space for the Krausen (sp?)
After a long break from brewing because of being out of town. I am looking to get back into it this weekend. I have recently upgrade my boil kettle to a 15.5 gallon keggle and am using 7.75 gal pony keg as a fermenter.
Due to probably more limited brewing time due to a little 20 month old running around, I am looking to maximize my batch size to make the most out of a brew session.
Could I reasonably ferment 7 gallons in a 7.75 gallon fermenter without having to worry too much about the airlock overflowing ? Realizing it all depends on yeast and style of beer too.
You answered your own question "Realizing it all depends on yeast and style of beer too."
Some people use Fermencap to keep the Krausen down. I don't but it is an option. I'd look to get a second fermenter ($25 for a 6 gallon better bottle) and split a 10 gallon batch between the two.
If you plan on a 7gal batch with only 3/4gal of headspace I'd definitely invest in some fermcap and a blow off tube.
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Originally Posted by Revvy
And I'd like to see my 1.080 beers ready from grain to glass in a week, and served to me by red-headed twin penthouse pets wearing garter belts and fishnet stockings, with Irish accents, calling me "master luv gun," but we can't always get what we want can we? :)
Have a Sanke fermenter (hence the user name) and can brew 15 gal of wort or less. I had already planned on the blow off tube. Don't want to use fermcap. I have heard everyone here that uses a keg fermenter say they only brew <~13 gal in them.
Would it be stylistically or otherwise detrimental to a healthily pitched beer to ferment 15 gallons in a 15.5 gal fermenter thereby not letting the krausen fall back into the beer? How little headroom is too little? Anyone actually try this and can attest?
And I'd like to see my 1.080 beers ready from grain to glass in a week, and served to me by red-headed twin penthouse pets wearing garter belts and fishnet stockings, with Irish accents, calling me "master luv gun," but we can't always get what we want can we? :)
Due to probably more limited brewing time due to a little 20 month old running around, I am looking to maximize my batch size to make the most out of a brew session.
Have you considered fermenting right in your 15 gal keggle that you boil in?
I know, sounds crazy, but it is done w/ good results and saves time and effort.
I believe Lonnie of the "Brutus 10'" does this, as do I. Of course, YMMV.
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fermenter size vs batch size.
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