6 gallon secondary?

[mdwmonster]

This is likely a dumb question, but live and learn I guess.

I'm in the middle of brewing my first batch - an APA. I transferred it to the secondary this weekend and thought to myself "Why isn't this full? Did I really loose over a gallon of beer? “Well, low and behold, I took some measurements and did some number crunching and it appears that my kit came with a 6-gallon Better Bottle, instead of the 5-gallon it should have......even though the box is marked "5-Gallon"

My question is - should I get a 5-gallon or is it ok to use a 6-gallon for a secondary? I'm a bit worried that the extra head space will lead to oxidation and mold growth, but I'm going to leave the beer alone for now, and as long as it doesn't grow mold, bottle and drink it.

 

[albannach]

It SHOULD be ok. Hopefully some of the residual CO2 left solution during racking and formed a protective "blanket" above the beer (since CO2 is heavier than air). I would go ahead and get a 5 gallon carboy/better bottle for secondary aging in the future although the best option would be to brew 6 gallon batches from now on

 

[flyangler18]

If you have a means of purging the headspace of the 6 gallon easily with CO2, then it can work. Headspace is actually a secondary concern; the surface area should also be considered.

 

[taylornate]

I've been wondering a bit about my glass carboy. It is about 19 inches from bottom to top. Does that make it a 5 gallon?

 

[flyangler18]

I've been wondering a bit about my glass carboy. It is about 19 inches from bottom to top. Does that make it a 5 gallon?

Do a test fill and mark it it appropriately.

 

[taylornate]

Do a test fill and mark it it appropriately.

How full should a 5 gallon carboy be when you put 5 gallons in it? Are the markings on the Ale Pail accurate?

 

[mdwmonster]

the best option would be to brew 6 gallon batches from now on

That seems like a good option, but if I do that, should I worry that I won't have enough space for the krausen in the Ale Pale primary? I guess if it comes up through the air lock, I'd have to use a blow-off? Is there any other option?

 

[Stratotankard]

I bought a gallon of spring water for $.87 and use the bottle it came in for measuring my water amounts when mashing. Not perfectly accurate, but close enough for gov't work.

Terje

 

[albannach]

That seems like a good option, but if I do that, should I worry that I won't have enough space for the krausen in the Ale Pale primary? I guess if it comes up through the air lock, I'd have to use a blow-off? Is there any other option?

That's what I do. I like to use a carboy cap and attach a piece of tubing to it for use as my blowoff tube.

If you use an ale pale as your primary, I think 3/8" tubing will slip over the center tube inside a three piece airlock and should be sufficient for a blowoff tube.