Another round of NOOB questions

[AkTom]

Been reading here for several months. Just got my kit today. It came with a 5 and 6 gal. carboy. If I don't rack to secondary, will there be too head space if I ferment in the 6 gal.carboy? Is glass really better than PLASTIC??? just kidding
Tom

 

[flars]

A 5 gallon brew is best done in a 6 gallon carboy. Better chance of being able to use an airlock rather than a blow off tube. 5 gallons in a 5 gallon carboy will require a blow off tube because of the lack of head space for the krausen. You will also lose a lot beer through the blow off tube.

The 5 gallon carboy can be used as a secondary vessel for dry hopping.

 

[lgilmore]

The 5 gallon is really your secondary as when you secondary you're adding things to the batch, that won't usually cause any kind of foaming up as they would in the primary.

 

[RM-MN]

The 5 gallon is really your secondary as when you secondary you're adding things to the batch, that won't usually cause any kind of foaming up as they would in the primary.

For most beers a secondary is not necessary so use that 5 gallon carboy to make a batch of wine or cider.

 

[GrogNerd]

if the 5-gallon one has a spigot, that's your bottling bucket

 

[E_Marquez]

Been reading here for several months. Just got my kit today. It came with a 5 and 6 gal. carboy. If I don't rack to secondary, will there be too head space if I ferment in the 6 gal.carboy? Is glass really better than PLASTIC??? just kidding
Tom

The larger carboy is fine for a 5 gal batch.
The 5 gal one is a bit small for the reasons others have stated.

And while it seems common on this forum to suggest secondary is not needed.. A 5 gal secondary IS useful to the new brewer with only two fermentation vessels...... Racking your beer from the larger primarily carboy to the secondary for additional conditioning time...means the primary is now available sooner for the next batch.

Folks that have 1/2 dozen fermentation buckets sitting in the corner are quick to forget. Racking two week old beer to a secondary, smaller unuseable for initial fermentation carboy does have a use for that new limited equipment brewer.

 

[unionrdr]

2 week old beer might not be done yet either. Mine take 3-3.5 weeks to get down to FG & settle out clear or slightly misty. Although it's been 2 weeks yesterday,& my PM stout looks done @ 1.012. So the 5 gallon carboy would be perfect for secondary if you wanna use one,as it has minimal head space. The 6 gallon would be ok for fermenting in.

 

[AkTom]

I have to fess up. I don;t really drink much beer. I do however like what I like, and most store bought doesn't cut it. Hence, here I am. You all do kinda crack me up. What a crew of characters
Having been on a few forums... the mostly easy to get along with attitude is nice. And not to be a troll as some might think, ( as I will stir the pot), I am actually of the Giant Elf Clan. Thanks for you answers. I will probably reserve the 5 gal for cider and get another one for RIS that I'd like to do after a few extracts. I haven't told SWMBO that I NEED about 5 or 6 more fermenters.
I will brew a week from Wednesday. I work 1week on 1 week off and want to home to watch the show. I also have an wort chiller to make. It sure is nice to have gotten my kit and be ready to start.
Thanks again for the answers. I really will try to keep the noob questions in check.
Tom

 

[Cyclman]

Good luck on the next brew. Be sure to read the forum stickies, lots of great tips in there. 6 fermenters and you don't drink much beer?! If you like aged beers, you can always bottle age as a cheaper alternative.

 

[lgilmore]

"For most beers a secondary is not necessary so use that 5 gallon carboy to make a batch of wine or cider."

To each his own about that comment.

What I was really commenting about is thinking this was a new brewer, was to make sure he was not trying to use the 5 gallon bucket as a primary for a 5 gallon batch as it would be nothing but trouble. If the guy learns the 6.5 is the primary for his 5 gallon batches, well it's not a bad thing is it?

I use a secondary sometimes so I can brew another batch, but also I use a secondary to reduce the trub that would get into the bottling bucket. Taking a beer off the trub and then cold crashing, isn't a bad thing. The necessity of doing this depends on the brewer's feeling. Some don't care how clear their final product is, I do.

 

[boydster]

You can get crystal clear beer without a secondary. To each his own, I agree.

 

[AkTom]

Cyclman, I don't yet anyway.
I plan on a apfelwein, RIS, for longer times in the carboys. While those are aging, I need something else in the pipeline. Now I'm at 4 fermentors... You guys and your recipes and ideas are sending me down a slippery slope. Fortunately I am off my Festool buying slope. I am thinking about all grain. Just thinking and reading for now. You've heard that before though, right? I really do plan on taking my time and learning to do things right the first time. I know I will make mistakes but again, you guys (sorry, and Gals) are ALWAYS so kind to us rookies. This really is a great forum and you help me get though my shift at work.
Tom