Carboy Question

[loomisman]

I am going to start two stage fermentation. My question is can I use a 6.5gal carboy for the second stage instead of a 5gal?

 

[Kaz]

I've yet to see a good reason for 2 stage on every beer. I think for a 5 gallon batch, a 6.5gal. will work, the benefit in using a 5 gal. is the reduced headspace. You want a blanket of CO2 sitting on top of the beer to prevent oxidation. Also, if you use a 5 gal. then the 6.5 gal can become another primary...

 

[Ace_Club]

Agreed. Not much reason to do a secondary for most beers. If you do decide to go ahead with the secondary, as long as fermentation is still somewhat active (producing CO2), then the small amount of head space will not be an issue as the oxygen will be purged by the fermentation gases.

 

[Calder]

I often dissolve a couple of ounces of sugar in a pint of water and add to the secondary when I rack to one. I know the beer has finished, and I do this to make sure the wort creates CO2 to protect it in the secondary. Basically do it the same way as when adding priming sugar when bottling.

 

[theonetrueruss]

Shouldn't there be enough CO2 released from the beer just due to the motion of racking to create the needed blanket of CO2? I've been dry hopping in a secondary with about 20% and haven't noticed any issues.

 

[Calder]

Shouldn't there be enough CO2 released from the beer just due to the motion of racking to create the needed blanket of CO2? I've been dry hopping in a secondary with about 20% and haven't noticed any issues.

Probably. I just like to make sure. I don't do it all the time, but do with any beer that's over 4 weeks when racking.

 

[lumpher]

Shouldn't there be enough CO2 released from the beer just due to the motion of racking to create the needed blanket of CO2? I've been dry hopping in a secondary with about 20% and haven't noticed any issues.

yes, in my experience