3 gallons in a 5 gallon Fermenter?

[Jhedrick83]

I love to make Belgians and I make 3 gallon batches as that's a sweet spot for me in terms of consumption. My issue is that WLP530 is a monster and always blows out the top. Now, I can set up and blowoff tube but then that needs to be cleaned up too. I was wondering if there are any issues with getting a 5 gallon fermonster and putting my 3 gallons of wort in there to ferment. I'm thinking the extra headspace would help keep my mess contained. Any issues with underfilling a fermenter by 40%?

 

[AlexKay]

None whatsoever, is my opinion. I do it all the time.

 

[tracer bullet]

Agreed. I've read that if there's too much headspace you'll oxidize the beer. But also read that people connect empty kegs with 5 gallons of "air" in them, to be purged with the CO2 from fermentation, and it's the greatest thing. I'm not saying that those 2 things are said by the same people, nor that either is, or is not, factual!

If you have a lingering concern, and are a kegging person, you could do some CO2 purging to be more safe. Yeast tend to use up dissolved oxygen quickly, from the wort that is. As for what's in the headspace I'm guessing it's purged out before it can have much of an effect.

 

[Knightshade]

Same, I use a 7G fermonster and there have been occasions when I haven’t gotten my full expected 5.5G in there.

Had a major spill prior to transfer a couple batches ago and probably only transferred 4. No issues with that beer, other than it disappearing too damn quick.

 

[Falstaff]

Just leave that cozy blanket of co2 on top. If you mess with it too much after it finishes then you could lose it and get oxidation, infection.

 

[Coastalbrew]

I'd still put the blow off tube on if it was me. I use 5G buckets to ferment my 3.25G batches all the time and have had a couple of batches that needed the blow off tube. Other than that, good to go.

 

[tripeland]

Just leave that cozy blanket of co2 on top. If you mess with it too much after it finishes then you could lose it and get oxidation, infection.

Not sure if joking, that’s not how gasses behave.

 

[RufusBrewer]

If 3 gallons of wort in a 5 gallon fermentor made bad beer, beer from open fermentation would suck.

 

[govner1]

I love to make Belgians and I make 3 gallon batches as that's a sweet spot for me in terms of consumption. My issue is that WLP530 is a monster and always blows out the top. Now, I can set up and blowoff tube but then that needs to be cleaned up too. I was wondering if there are any issues with getting a 5 gallon fermonster and putting my 3 gallons of wort in there to ferment. I'm thinking the extra headspace would help keep my mess contained. Any issues with underfilling a fermenter by 40%?

I do 6g batches and split them into two 5g BB’s. I’ve been doing this for 8-10 years and never a problem. If I’m going to secondary for dry hopping, etc. I CO2 transfer to a 3g BB to limit any O2 exposure.

 

[MaxStout]

2 gal of headspace won't be a problem for primary. That space will quickly fill up with CO2 that displaces the air inside. Just leave it alone until you're ready to package.

 

[50calshooter]

No worries.

 

[TestTickle]

2 gal of headspace won't be a problem for primary. That space will quickly fill up with CO2 that displaces the air inside. Just leave it alone until you're ready to package.

+1

 

[camonick]

I love to make Belgians and I make 3 gallon batches as that's a sweet spot for me in terms of consumption. My issue is that WLP530 is a monster and always blows out the top. Now, I can set up and blowoff tube but then that needs to be cleaned up too. I was wondering if there are any issues with getting a 5 gallon fermonster and putting my 3 gallons of wort in there to ferment. I'm thinking the extra headspace would help keep my mess contained. Any issues with underfilling a fermenter by 40%?

I always use a 5 gallon carboy for my 3 gallon batches and it works perfectly. I actually start with 3.5 gallons so I finish with 3 gallons into my keg leaving the trub behind.