5 Gal batches in 14 Gal conical?

[PintOfBitter]

So I'm dreaming about a conical fermenter now... I really only do 5 gallon batches, but if I'm going to spring for a conical, it would be good to have the capability to do 10 gallon batches. Would the 14 gallon fermenter be usable for 5 gallon batches, or does that sound like a major oxidation risk?

I'm thinking that, at best, it would work fine as long as I never removed the top during fermentation, and at worst, would never properly purge itself of O2 and leave me with cardboard beer.

Anyone done this and have something to say?

thx.

 

[Yeastmonkey]

It's fine. I do it frequently. All the CO2 that gets produced pushes the O2 out. You dont ever need to open the conicle unless your doing an addition as you pull samples from the racking arm and drain from the bottom.

 

[PintOfBitter]

Sweet. so does your racking arm still adjust to an appropriate depth for racking 5 gal batches?

 

[Yeastmonkey]

Yes. The racking arm is up during fermenting and is covered by the wort. When you rack off your beer it gets adjusted based upon the depth of the cake at the bottom. I have not noticed an excess of beer loss in my 14 gal over my 7 gal. conicle

 

[samc]

I just finished 7 gallons in a 16 gallon inductor tank conical. Went very well although airlock activity was nil. Only showed some condensation on the airlock. After opening the top to take a sample I pumped in a bit of CO2 as an insurance blanket and that CO2 stayed inside until I dry hopped. As the saying goes, don't ask how I know that!

I racked out with a racking arm and it was the easiest kegging job to date. I also bottled a few and except for a few spills on the carpet (oops) that was painless as well.