5 gall carboy for a 5 gallon batch?

Against my better judgement I am going to ask this question because I have read the contrary as true, but, someone told me you can use a 5gal carboy for a 5 gal batch for primary fermentation if you use a Blow off tube, is this true?

If so, would it be ok to use an airlock and my bottling hose as the BOT?

Quick reply needed, 20 mins left in the boil.

I'd not try it unless you have no other choice. The airlock with hose is the next best choice in this situation if you don't have a large diameter hose or some fermcap.

Sure you can. Depending on the batch, you may even be able to get by without a blowoff tube if you scale down to say a 4.9 gallon batch, but the less headroom you have, the more likely a blowoff is to be a good idea.

I used to use the same hose for bottling and blowoff, but if you have a lot of blowoff, it can get pretty gunked up and hard to clean. I ended up getting a fresh hose for bottling, and keeping my discolored yellowish one just for blowoff.

Just noticed your in G.R. Shoot over to sicliano's or B&B Liquors and buy a 6.5 gallon bucket while it's cooling.

I would hit up craigslist before I resorted to that. You have a good chance of being able to buy a 6.5 pail for next to nothing. There are people selling stuff all the time in Austin, anyway.

I picked one up today while I was there, but I kinda wanted to watch the magic happen for once. I did a Partial Mash (first time woo!!) and thought it would be nice to watch the yeast do their thing. I guess I'll save the yeast orgy viewing for another batch and another day.

Thanks guys.

cuinrearview, your name looks real familiar, are you on another message board by the name of Camaroz28.com maybe??

RedIrocZ-28 said:

cuinrearview, your name looks real familiar, are you on another message board by the name of Camaroz28.com maybe??

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Ford guy here.:fro: When I close my eyes and visualize Camaros I see a dude with a porn mustache and a mullet. Works for the wife, but not for this guy. :cross:

Hope the beer comes out great for you. Keep your eyes on CL for a 6.5 carboy. As long as your bucket is not all beat up I wouldn't have a problem trading out my 6.5 carboy for a brew. Fermentation really should be seen to be fully appreciated.

Where is Dowling, MI anyway? Are you on motownmuscle?

Anyway, the bucket I used is brand new as of this afternoon. A buddy of mine used to brew wine so he has some 6.5's, I just have to go get them. Thats the bane of working Retail sales though, no time for yourself, unless its after 8pm. So, therefore, I never make it over his way. Either way a 6.5 for a few brews sounds like an uneven trade, I couldn't do that to you. Wouldn't feel right about it. Thank you though.

Beer is in the fermenter, can't wait. Its my first Amber ale, and first Partial Mash. Hit the OG I am pretty sure, I was .5 gal short and the OG was 1.060. Promash said 1.055 with 5.5gal @ 75% efficiency. I am not sure where that puts me but I think thats pretty close.

Thanks again for the quick replies.

alpo said:

I would hit up craigslist before I resorted to that. You have a good chance of being able to buy a 6.5 pail for next to nothing. There are people selling stuff all the time in Austin, anyway.

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I agree. I bought my bucket at the grocery store for $1. Just make sure the lid is the kind that pops down over the lip and has to be pried off.

What grocery/deli item comes in a 6.5gal bucket? All the shops around my area get everything in 4.5 & 5gal buckets of bag-in-box.

GNBrews said:

What grocery/deli item comes in a 6.5gal bucket? All the shops around my area get everything in 4.5 & 5gal buckets of bag-in-box.

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Yes some are small. Ask them for one that has corn meal or flour. I think those are the large ones. The two I have are 5.5. So, you can put about 4.5 in with enought head space. I use a better bottle now. I only use the buckets for cleaning and bottling.

I've used a 5 gallon carboy for all my 5 gallon batches for almost 10 years now will no problems. I do use a 1" blowoff tube for the primary and run that into a bucket. Sure, the hose gets gunk on the inside of it that needs to be cleaned, but it doesn't plug up at all. Let it sit for about 2 weeks, then rack to secondary with an airlock and you will be all set.

I concur. I've used a 5 gallon for all of my 5 gallon batches as well.