GHBWNY
Well-Known Member
I learned a new magic trick this week: how to change 5 gal of beer into 4-1/4 gal just by transferring it to another vessel. I ferment in a 6.5 gal bucket from BSG that I've had for 3 years. I just recently purchased another 6.5 gal bucket from BSG, but it is taller and narrower. I fermented a recent batch (5 gal at the mark like always) in the older one and of course thinking nothing of it, racked it to the newer one for bottling.
Presto change, the volume in the new bucket was at the 4-1/4 gal mark! Presto no-chango... it had already been primed for 5 gal! I actually started looking for a leak.
Even taking the trub into account, there is still a good +1/2 gal discrepancy between buckets according to the markings. I began to wonder if all my batches over the past 3 years have been a 1/2 gal short. For a fleeting moment I thought about topping it off, but the taste was smack on as is, plus I've never had a problem with over-carbing by priming for 5 gal. Obviously, it's time to measure the buckets --- with something more reliable than either of them apparently are --- to see which is right, if either!
Presto change, the volume in the new bucket was at the 4-1/4 gal mark! Presto no-chango... it had already been primed for 5 gal! I actually started looking for a leak.
Even taking the trub into account, there is still a good +1/2 gal discrepancy between buckets according to the markings. I began to wonder if all my batches over the past 3 years have been a 1/2 gal short. For a fleeting moment I thought about topping it off, but the taste was smack on as is, plus I've never had a problem with over-carbing by priming for 5 gal. Obviously, it's time to measure the buckets --- with something more reliable than either of them apparently are --- to see which is right, if either!
