Closing the gap

[Philmycup]

I’ve recently pitched yeast in 5 gallons of cider and it’s ready to be transferred to another jug. I would like to take a gallon out of this batch to follow a recipe w/o making 5 gallons of it. Will having 4 gallons in a carboy have to much air in it and possibly ruin it? The recipe I’m following says to top off the carboy w/ more juice so there is very little air but that would mean a gallon or juice

 

[S-Met]

If I understand you correctly, primary fermentation is complete. You want to transfer to secondary for aging but remove 1 gal to ferment differently?

Yes, if primary fermentation is complete, 1 gal is too much headspace.

Options:
Add a gal+ of juice (primary will start again)
Add sterilized glass beads
Get smaller carboy.

 

[Philmycup]

Thanks.

 

[Yooper]

They sell 3 gallon carboys- you could do three gallons in one, and then a one gallon jug for the extra gallons.

 

[Philmycup]

Thanks, I was trying to see if it would work w/o extra work bc I’ve got 5 gallons already in primary fermentation