~4.25 gallons in my 5 gallon carboy. Too much headspace?

Tankard · 04-17-2008, 12:55 AM

I'm on my second batch and this time I decided to do secondary fermentation in a 5 gallon glass carboy. I must not have accounted enough for the evaporation because I have a little over 4 gallons sitting in my 5 gallon carboy.

Will this extra space cause problems with oxidation? Is this too much headspace for the beer or will the CO2 take care of the oxygen that is present in the carboy?

**EdWort** · 04-17-2008, 12:57 AM

Got a picture? If you are concerned, you can sanitize some glass marbles and gently drop them in to displace the extra head space.

Tankard · 04-17-2008, 01:03 AM

I will upload a picture tonight.

The beer level is a couple inches below the neck of the carboy, if that helps.

**EdWort** · 04-17-2008, 01:18 AM

It's not optimal, but if it is still bubbling, you should be OK.

Tankard · 04-17-2008, 01:19 AM

I should have just kept it in the primary like I did with my last beer...