Carboy question

[raven77]

I recently purchased a 6 gallon carboy at my local homebrew shop used for a good price and I would like to use it as my primary. I plan on buying a 5 gallon carboy next for my secondary. My question is will the 6 gallon carboy be too small as a primary with just an airlock. I don't want to have to use a blow off tube and am wondering if there won't be enough head space for fermentation. Should I buy a 6.5 gallon carboy and use my bucket for primary in the meantime til I do or will the 6 gallon be big enough?

 

[dogbar]

If you have good temp control, brew lower-strength beers, and don't use top-cropping yeasts ... you'll be OK.

Otherwise no, it's not.

Ferm-cap is an option, although I've only ever used it in the boil.

 

[raven77]

Then I guess my next question is will a 6.5 gallon carboy be enough and was the investment in the 6 gallon carboy a bad decision?

 

[amandabab]

Sticking a 1" hose in a carboy is almost easier than getting a airlock and bung to seal.

 

[Pezman1]

Why is the world do you not want to use a blow off tube????

Like the previous poster said, just stick a 1 inch tube in the neck of the carboy and stick the other end in a jar/bucket/whatever with some water in it. Northern Brewer sells precut 3 1/2 foot lengths ready to go for six bucks.

Even a 6.5 gallon carboy will not be big enough to avoid using a blow off tube if in fact you have a blow off.

I have both a six and six and 1/2 gallon carboys. Both work perfectly as primaries AND both get blow off tubes. Every single time. Period.

Pez.

 

[RCBIV]

Sticking a 1" hose in a carboy is almost easier than getting a airlock and bung to seal.

I agree. I typically leave my blowoff tube connected for the entire fermentation.

 

[homebrewdad]

I have news for you - I use a 6.5 gallon glass carboy. With two of my three brews (the two that I used starters for), I had to go to blowoff tubes to handle the explosive fermentations.

In other words, a 6.5 gallon is NOT proof against really active yeast. Embrace the blowoff tube - or learn to enjoy scrubbing beer off of your ceiling.

 

[TarVolon]

If you have good temp control, brew lower-strength beers, and don't use top-cropping yeasts ... you'll be OK.

Otherwise no, it's not.

Ferm-cap is an option, although I've only ever used it in the boil.

I have a 6 gallon carboy. I messed up my measurements and almost overflowed it. Then threw in a top-cropping yeast.

Worked just fine. Blow-off tubes are great

 

[amandabab]

It you don't want the height of the curved blow-off hose because of a small chest freezer, just cut it and use 2 1" pvc elbows.
If an airlock fits, this will too.

 

[dogbar]

I have a 6 gallon carboy. I messed up my measurements and almost overflowed it. Then threw in a top-cropping yeast.

Worked just fine. Blow-off tubes are great

He said he didn't want to use a blow-off.

 

[gmcastil]

Even a 6.5 gallon carboy will not be big enough to avoid using a blow off tube if in fact you have a blow off.

My 6.5 gallon fermenter erupted last night with a 5 gallon batch of Belgian ale in it. My advice is to get only 6.5 gallon carboys. I have a 5 gallon fermenter and I wish that I'd gotten a 6.5 gallon instead.

 

[bleme]

I use a 6 gallon carboy exclusively. If OG is under 1.055 I use an airlock. If I go over that, I use a blow-off tube.

 

[idahobrew]

I learned my lesson the hard way. Now it's the 1" tube in the carboy when I start fermentation. You can switch back to a sanatized airlock after 5-6 days or so if you want.

 

[Draygon]

Better safer than sorry!

I along with most others here do not understand your reasoning for not wanting to use a blow off tube(might have been a good idea to state your reasoning IMO). Ill just reiterate what others have said:
1. 5,6, or 6.5 Gal Carboys will at some point or another have a blow off, its almost inevitable.
2. Just use a 1" tube and it gives a much needed piece of mind, trust us.

 

[raven77]

I am limited for space in the area I ideally want to put the carboy but from everyone's stories I will just have to find a different location. I ordered a blow tube from northern Brewer yesterday. What's the best thing to use a bucket or something smaller for the end of the tube?or does it not matter

 

[40watt]

Buy stock in cleaning supplies.

 

[raven77]

??

 

[Pezman1]

I am limited for space in the area I ideally want to put the carboy but from everyone's stories I will just have to find a different location. I ordered a blow tube from northern Brewer yesterday. What's the best thing to use a bucket or something smaller for the end of the tube?or does it not matter

Doesn't matter too much. I use a one gallon glass pickle jar with a hole cut in the lid and some water in it. Some use a star san solution.

Keep in mind the pvc option if height is limited. Like the poster said, you can rig your tubing to a 90 degree elbow so the tubing doesn't take up much height above the carboy.

Both my blow off assemblies are actually pvc with just the ends that go into the carboy made of one inch tubing. Just did it as an afternoon project and because I like the way it looks.
Pez.

 

[40watt]

??

Sounds like you got over the "no blowoff tube for me" thing. So you'll be okay.