bigin31

Recipes 

I brewed about 3 gallons and poured it into my fermenter. I had little activity in the airlock but took a peak and saw alot of krausen. Originally I had put 3 gals of wort into a 5 gallon bucket. Will the excess headspace in the bucket effect my fermentation?

Cheeto

Recipes 

No it will not effect your fermentation,

The extra head space should keep you from needing a blow off tube.

the Air lock is not a valid sign of fermentation, the Krausen is a very good sign of active and healthy fermentation!!

Ignore it for several more weeks, and you are on your way to having a great beer

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bigin31

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Awesome. Thanks Cheeto. I posted elsewhere I had concerns for other reasons but no need to discuss them if krausen is the tell tale sign.

sp1365

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Yep Cheeto is correct. The Co2 given off during fermentation will take up the excess head space. I primary all of my 2.5 gallon beers in a 5 gallon carboy and have not had any problems.

The air lock is not a reliable sign of fermentation, but Krausen is a good sign. The only way to be certain however is using the Hydrometer. Let it go for a week or so then check the gravity. 3 straight days/reading the same and fermentation should be done.

lunchbox

Recipes 

Are you guys just siphoning off a little bit to check the gravity?

bonzombiekitty

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Most people just use a sanitized turkey baster to take a sample.

sp1365

Recipes 

or a wine thief. Either one works.