Can I brew a 5g kit in a 5g bubbler?

[kbkline]

I've tried finding a good answer for this and really can't seem to get one. First of all I'm brand new to brewing. Got the Dead Ringer kit from Northern Brewery in a couple days ago. Had someone give me a new 5 gallon carboy with bung. I was so excited that I went ahead and ordered my kit. Then someone gave me a 6.5 gallon carboy without the bung. I really want to brew this today but seeing as how my 5 gallon is only 5 gallon and my kit is for a 5 gallon brew, can I just brew say 4.5 gallons? Or do I either do a full 5 gallons and get a hose to do a blow off or get a bung for the 6.5? Like I said I really want to do this today but seeing as it's my first brew I want to get it right. I'm looking so forward to getting into this.....

 

[eyebrau]

If you do it in the 5gal carboy you're going to have a major mess on your hands. Can you get to a LHBS to get your hands on a bung for the 6.5? I'd strongly recommend that.

 

[Sadu]

You need about 25% free headspace, so about 6.5-7 gallons for a 5 gallon batch. Anything less is seriously asking for trouble.

If you need to brew today, don't stress about the airlock. Put some sanitised foil over the top of that 6.5G container and buy the bung tomorrow or whenever.

 

[mongoose33]

I don't understand how the bung (stopper?) fits the one and not the other. Aren't they the same?

I use the Bigmouth bubbler fermenters; they have a large lid (about 5" in diameter) but there is a hole in it to use a stopper. The stopper is pretty standard.

In the end, you should be able to tell if the one fits the other pretty readily.

 

[kbkline]

I'll just stop by today and get one (hopefully) I live in the mountains so there's only one local place and it's a brewery and they have supplies. I have a wide mouth and a regular bubbler therefor the bung does not fit. Thanks for the info

 

[eadavis80]

Just put sanitized tin foil over the opening in your 6.5 gallon fermenter for now and when you can get the bung that fits replace your tin foil with that.

 

[BowAholic]

you have the perfect setup if you ever decide to do a secondary. Use the 6.5 for a primary since it requires the extra head-space, and then use the smaller 5 gallon for a secondary where you don't want any excess space/oxygen. Have fun and enjoy that kit... it's an awesome tasting beer.