fermentation vessel size

[pcbandit]

Can your fermentation vessel be to big for the batch?

 

[NTXBrauer]

As long as fermentation is currently underway, there is a layer of co2 on top the beer that will protect from O2 exposure. In answer to your question, yes. I do believe that a FV can be too big though. I would not go more than 2-3 gallons larger than the size of the batch you are brewing to avoid any exposure to O2 that may not escape through the airlock. Also if using a secondary, the less head space the better, always. IMO.

What size FV are you looking at using per batch size?

 

[sandyeggoxj]

For a primary it is tough to be too big. I wouldn't put a 5 gallon batch in a 7bbl fermenter. That being said, I use a 22 gallon fermementer for 11 gallons with no problem. I want at least 10% head space so I don't shoot too much krausen through the blowoff tube.

 

[pcbandit]

OK of was looking at doing a 2 gallon batch in a 5 gallon better bottle

 

[sandyeggoxj]

OK of was looking at doing a 2 gallon batch in a 5 gallon better bottle

A little excessive in size but it would work. Don't keep it in there for too long though. The mystical "blanket of co2" that homebrewers talk about just isn't so. Once the yeast stop off gassing co2 the headspace of the fermenter will eventually equalize to the same as the atmosphere. So mostly n2 and about 20% oxygen.

If you plan to keep doing 2 gallon batches you should consider a 3 gallon fermenter.

 

[C-Rider]

OK of was looking at doing a 2 gallon batch in a 5 gallon better bottle

Home D has 2 gallon buckets which I use all the time. I try for 1.9 gal into the fermenter and 1.8 to the bottling bucket which yealds 3 six packs.

 

[pcbandit]

Home D has 2 gallon buckets which I use all the time. I try for 1.9 gal into the fermenter and 1.8 to the bottling bucket which yealds 3 six packs.

Thanks I'll go check it out.I'm just going to have to accept that I will have a room full of equipment

 

[Onkel_Udo]

Thanks I'll go check it out.I'm just going to have to accept that I will have a room full of equipment

How so? Two buckets, a pot you probably keep in the kitchen, a thermometer, hydrometer, racking cane, bottle filler, some tubing, airlock, a capper and your bottles. all of that for small batches will fit in a single 30 qt tote except the bottles...and I at least do not consider that equipment.

 

[hottpeper13]

Thanks I'll go check it out.I'm just going to have to accept that I will have a room full of equipment

Only one room?

 

[RM-MN]

OK of was looking at doing a 2 gallon batch in a 5 gallon better bottle

No problem. I do 2 1/2 gallon batches in a 6 1/2 gallon bucket fermenter and I've left them for up to 6 weeks. While there is a lot of space above the beer, there is so much CO2 produced that it pushes the air out through the airlock and it takes a long time for enough oxygen to make its way through that liquid in the airlock so as to oxidize your beer.

 

[pcbandit]

How so? Two buckets, a pot you probably keep in the kitchen, a thermometer, hydrometer, racking cane, bottle filler, some tubing, airlock, a capper and your bottles. all of that for small batches will fit in a single 30 qt tote except the bottles...and I at least do not consider that equipment.

well if I need smaller buckets for 2 gallon batches then I have some 1 gallon carboys for mead. For now I will be bottling everything so those need a place to be stored...then I want to slowly move to allgrain

 

[RM-MN]

well if I need smaller buckets for 2 gallon batches then I have some 1 gallon carboys for mead. For now I will be bottling everything so those need a place to be stored...then I want to slowly move to allgrain

Why slowly? Just jump in and do it. All grain was sort of intimidating to me until I learned about BIAB and made my first batch. Why did I wait so long?

 

[pcbandit]

Why slowly? Just jump in and do it. All grain was sort of intimidating to me until I learned about BIAB and made my first batch. Why did I wait so long?

I have a water cooler I hardly use so I planned on converting it to a mash tun but untill then BIAB looks easy enough.My pot is only 5 gallon so they would be small batches but it would be a good way to break the ice

 

[RM-MN]

I have a water cooler I hardly use so I planned on converting it to a mash tun but untill then BIAB looks easy enough.My pot is only 5 gallon so they would be small batches but it would be a good way to break the ice

That's how I started. I didn't want to invest too much in case it didn't work but my first batch got me 80% efficiency. I went on to buy a bigger kettle but I found that my bad back didn't like handling that much weight so I went back to the 2 1/2 gallon batches. To get that high efficiency requires a very fine milling. Since my LHBS doesn't have a mill, I bought a Corona style mill and set it tight. I heat up my 3 3/4 gallons of water to ~160, drop in the paint strainer bag, stir in the grains (a whisk beats a spoon for this) and pop the lid on. Wrap a bath towel around the pot for insulation, making sure the top is covered and walk away for an hour. Pull the bag out to drain and start heating toward the boil.

 

[KWright_VT]

I have a water cooler I hardly use so I planned on converting it to a mash tun but untill then BIAB looks easy enough.My pot is only 5 gallon so they would be small batches but it would be a good way to break the ice

I bought a 5 gallon kettle by mistake to brew my extract kit and quickly realized I wanted to go all grain after my first brew. I've just concentrated since I getting everything else, including a 10 gallon mash tun so I wouldn't be undersized. I did an AG this past weekend, with a 4 gallon boil to get 3 gallons in the fermenter. This was a really good way for me to get some experience with AG without too much risk. I also don't drink that much, so the small batch fits me well. Eventually I'll up my BK size, but no hurry. I'm even toying with some small 1-2 gallon batches so I can play with recipes and learn malt and hop flavors better.

A little variety of tastes instead of quantity.

 

[KWright_VT]

I have a water cooler I hardly use so I planned on converting it to a mash tun but untill then BIAB looks easy enough.My pot is only 5 gallon so they would be small batches but it would be a good way to break the ice

I bought a 5 gallon kettle by mistake to brew my extract kit and quickly realized I wanted to go all grain after my first brew. I've just concentrated since the on getting everything else, including building a 10 gallon mash tun so I wouldn't be undersized. I did an AG this past weekend, with a 4 gallon boil to get 3 gallons in the fermenter, 6.5 lbs of grain. This was a really good way for me to get some experience with AG without too much risk. I also don't drink that much, so the small batch fits me well. Eventually I'll up my BK size, but no hurry. I'm even toying with some small 1-2 gallon batches so I can play with recipes and learn malt and hop flavors better.

A little variety of tastes instead of quantity.

 

[KWright_VT]

Sorry for the duplicate, not sure what went haywire with the app!

 

[C-Rider]

well if I need smaller buckets for 2 gallon batches then I have some 1 gallon carboys for mead. For now I will be bottling everything so those need a place to be stored...then I want to slowly move to allgrain

My 2 gallon batches are all ALL GRAIN. BIAB.

 

[C-Rider]

I have a water cooler I hardly use so I planned on converting it to a mash tun but untill then BIAB looks easy enough.My pot is only 5 gallon so they would be small batches but it would be a good way to break the ice

I use a 4 g pot for my 2 gallon BIAB and mash in a 5 g round cooler. Go for it.

 

[pcbandit]

I use a 4 g pot for my 2 gallon BIAB and mash in a 5 g round cooler. Go for it.

so you throw the bag in the cooler for the mash?

 

[C-Rider]

so you throw the bag in the cooler for the mash?

Yup. Use a 5 gal paint bag strainer from HD.

Watch this video, I've updated the amts I use to get those 3 six packs