How Much Primary Head Space Is Required???

[BeerArchitect54]

How much head room is required in the top of your fermenting bucket??? I’ve got 5 Gal. buckets and I want to brew 5 Gal. batches.. I measured it out and after I pour the 5 Gal. of beer into the bucket I’m left with exactly 1-1/4" of head room.. Is that enough?? I am going to drill the lid and add an airlock... PLEASE HELP

[MOD EDIT] New thread started...you'll get more responses.[/edit]

 

[SGT-RIEL]

if that's all the room you'll have left you will want a blowoff hose because it's going to get messy.

 

[BierMuncher]

Most primary buckets are 7.5 gallons for a 5 gallon batch. That should give you an indicator. Drill the hole bigger and rig a blowoff hose.

 

[BeerArchitect54]

How big should I drill the hole??? Do you think I will lose a ton of beer this way??? How much do you think it might be????


PS
Thanks to who ever edited and started my thread!!!

 

[Memorex88]

Read this thread, it will answer probably all your questions. It happened to me a little while ago.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f37/bit-mess-99129/

 

[Scrow]

I am also kind of worried. I am about to start my first brew, and I found a kit at my LHBS that comes with a 6.5-gallon primary. The ingredient kits they sell are 5-gallon kits. Is this going to work? And should I be worried about any explosions?

 

[BierMuncher]

I am also kind of worried. I am about to start my first brew, and I found a kit at my LHBS that comes with a 6.5-gallon primary. The ingredient kits they sell are 5-gallon kits. Is this going to work? And should I be worried about any explosions?

6.5 gallon fermenters are fine for the majority of beers.

 

[Memorex88]

I am also kind of worried. I am about to start my first brew, and I found a kit at my LHBS that comes with a 6.5-gallon primary. The ingredient kits they sell are 5-gallon kits. Is this going to work? And should I be worried about any explosions?

6.5 gallon is good don't worry but do get a blow off tube at least 3/4" and you'll sleep better

 

[Scrow]

I am still new to this stuff, so what exactly is a blow-off tube? And why do they even have airlocks if everyone uses blow-off tubes?

My intuition is saying it is just a tube that fits inside the lid of the fermenter and runs into a bowl of sanitizer to release pressure? How far into the fermenter do I need to push the blow-off tube?

 

[Memorex88]

I am still new to this stuff, so what exactly is a blow-off tube? And why do they even have airlocks if everyone uses blow-off tubes?

My intuition is saying it is just a tube that fits inside the lid of the fermenter and runs into a bowl of sanitizer to release pressure? How far into the fermenter do I need to push the blow-off tube?

Did you read the link up there on post #5 "a bit of a mess"?

Your intuition is right and the tube goes just 1/2" inside the lid.

 

[Malticulous]

Most of the time I only get a inch or two of kraeusen. Only a few brews I've done needed a blow off. I use six gallon buckets. If I think I need it I just put a tube in the grommet instead of the air lock.

 

[Scrow]

Yes, I did read it. My question I guess is this: What are the advantages of using an air-lock if you don't think a blow-off tube is needed? If you properly sanitize the blow-off and place the end in a bowl of sanitizer solution, what risks are you running? It seems to me, based on what I understand so far, that a blow-off would be the obvious choice in all cases. Why am I wrong? Thanks!

 

[Memorex88]

Yes, I did read it. My question I guess is this: What are the advantages of using an air-lock if you don't think a blow-off tube is needed? If you properly sanitize the blow-off and place the end in a bowl of sanitizer solution, what risks are you running? It seems to me, based on what I understand so far, that a blow-off would be the obvious choice in all cases. Why am I wrong? Thanks!

It's personal preference, there really is no difference. You could put a cloth over the fermenter if you like. They all work. But yes, the blow off is the safest.

 

[BeerArchitect54]

ok so a 3/4" blow off is essential if im going to use this 5 Gal. Bucket. Like i said I only have 1 1/4" of head space and i can not afford to buy the 6.5 Gal. Bucket right know... Do I need to use an airlock at all or could i use the blow off throughout the entire process???? Thanks

 

[Memorex88]

Use the blow off the entire process. What kind of beer where you planning on making?
I'd suggest something not too big (dark, high gravity) until you get a bigger bucket. The bigger beers tend to make more kraeusen.

 

[zanemoseley]

Or you can uses these Fermcap-S Foam Inhibitor- 1 oz. :: Midwest Supplies Homebrewing and Winemaking Supplies to keep the krausen down. Just be aware it will affect the bitterness a slight bit.

 

[SCARYLARRY]

I use 5gal. carboys to ferment my beer, and have made a couple of big beers without a problem. I use a 3/4 blow off hose for a couple of days, then when I see no more foam going through it switch an airlock. My beers have come out great, and when I bottle I usually have 50 bottles.

 

[BeerArchitect54]

Im going to start out with a Cream Ale and then prob. am planning on a hef or a nut brown and then who knows after that.. I do also have the two buckets so I could split up a batch if I think it will be a bigger beer...