6 gal vs 6.5 Gallon Primary

[dustinthompson85]

Trying to decide between the 6 gal carboy and the 6.5. I will be doing 5 gal batches. Is there a difference outside the increase chance of blow off? Any flavor effect? I ask bc 6 gal are cheaper and more available to me than 6.5.

 

[wilserbrewer]

I would go larger, using a blow off is a hassle IMO.

Better yet get a larger 7-8 gallon bucket even cheaper. Jmo

 

[dustinthompson85]

I've used a bucket in the past but it doesn't have the best seal. Plus I want to see what's happening. I used a 5 gal carboy once, but it was supposed to be for a 5 gal batch. Other than the size it worked great.

 

[ChelisHubby]

The larger one is better if the larger diameter is ok for you, the 6 gallon carboy has the same diameter as the 5 gallon!

 

[Singletrack]

Blow offs blow. I moved to a 7.9 gal bucket before moving to a st stl carboy. Those big buckets seal. You may lose your fingers trying to break the seal. It is true that you cannot see everything. But you can remove the airlock stopper to peek in, and you can add dry hops there without removing the lid. Good thing too, because removing the lid is like pulling a tooth -- requires a tool and still painful. Not sure if clear, but I don't care for the lid.

 

[lhommedieu]

My 6 1/2 gallon carboys are wider than my 6 gallon carboys. I discovered that when I bought two 6 1/2 gallon carboys on a whim, and found when I got home that they wouldn't fit in the fermenter that I had planned to use. I found an alternative fermenting chamber, however.

After primary fermentation, I use two 6 gallon carboys for secondary fermentation, and rack to two 5 gallon kegs for priming and conditioning. I transfer the beer using CO2 and the system is always closed. I find that the use of blow-off tubes leads to cleaner beers.

I like how the loss of beer due to blow-off, trub, and evaporation is made up by the extra 1 gallon capacity of the 6 1/2 gallon carboys. That said, you can do the same thing with 6 gallon carboys, and if cost is an issue, there's no reason not to. Get a brew hauler for each carboy; it makes moving them around easier and less dangerous.

 

[RussPDX]

I put 5.5 gal into a 6.5 carboy, if I go to secondary then I use 5 gal carboys for less oxygen exposure. I think the added .5 gal of headspace in the 6.5 vs. 6 is worth it.

 

[dustinthompson85]

Thanks everyone! !