I am going to bottle my pale ale today, and I don't have a full 5 gallons in my carboy-more like 4 1/4 gallons. Should I use a little less sugar to prime? If I use the recommended 1/2 cup, with it make the beer fizzier because there is less than 5 gallons?
Priming and bottling today
- Thread starter telemarc
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OrvilleOrdinary
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I always use 3/4 of a cup for 5 gallons, so in my opinion, 1/2 a cup would be just fine for 4 1/4 gallons.
I don't use cups measurements, but I think it's more like 3/4 cup to prime 5 gallons. I use ounces, and use about 4 ounces for 5 gallons.
In your case, I'd definitely decrease the amount of priming sugar. I'm terrible at math, though, and will leave you to work it all out.
I had the same problem with my last batch, I just used the recommended amount for five gallons. I had no problems at all.
EDIT: I think that the only time you need to be REALLY precise is when you are working with 2 gallons or less.
EDIT: I think that the only time you need to be REALLY precise is when you are working with 2 gallons or less.
GroovePuppy
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I never even thought of this with batch#1. I used the full bag (it was a kit) with 4.5 gallons. I doubt I made bottle bombs but the beer will probably be fizzier than I intended. I'll be doing the math with batch#2.
ifishsum
Well-Known Member
+2 on add priming sugar by weight, not volume. My first two 5.5 gallon batches I used 3/4 cup (measured like flour and leveled off) and they were both undercarbed. When I weighed out 5.5 ounces it was actually more like 9/10 of a cup the way I was measuring.
If you absolutely must do 3/4 cup by volume, pack it in there well, like you'd measure brown sugar.
If you absolutely must do 3/4 cup by volume, pack it in there well, like you'd measure brown sugar.
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