Fermenter size

[Thehopman]

Hey everyone,

I am actually brewing on a 5 gallons system, and ready to upgrade for bigger batches. I'm gonna get a 15 gallons kettle and mash tun (15.9 real capacity), but I'm not so sure on the fermenter size I should get, as I am actually brewing mostly hazy IPAs, but also plan on brewing double mash/high gravity imperial stouts, so definitely not the same batch sizes.

Obviously, my batches are gonna be smaller with stouts, but they also need more space for krausen - and that's where I read different things. What's your take on that?

I'm thinking a 17 gallons fermenter (looking to get a SS Brewtech Chronical, so the other option would be 14Gal). If a smaller size would actually work best for big stouts, an option could also be to get the 17Gal for my IPAs, and get smaller brew buckets for the stouts.

 

[Rob2010SS]

I would say 14 gallon fermenters. If you are getting 15 gallon equipment the biggest batch size you would get, i think, is maybe 12 gallons

 

[BlueHouseBrewhaus]

I would say to get a fermenter that is 1 to 2 gallons bigger than whatever size brew you plan to do the most. I brew 5+/- gal batches so I have a 6.5 gal fermenter. In also have a 5 gal fermenter for lagering and a 3 gal for experimental brews so I don't get stuck with 5 gal of something I may not like. With an assortment, you're not tied to one size. If you decide to do a 5 gal brew again, you don't want 5 gal of headspace in a 10 gal fermenter.

There are also other advantages to having several fermenters. I recently had a Belgian in my 6.5 gal fermenter that was taking longer than expected to finish. I really needed to get started on my holiday brew so I just downscaled it to 3.75 gal and fermented in my 5 gal fermenter.

 

[stieg000]

For my high gravity beers I use a plastic 7.5g bucket for my 5.5g batches. More surface area for krausen.

 

[Lefou]

Currently eyeing one 7gal SS Brewbucket as a replacement for my collection of glass.
I agree with the 2 gallons of headspace to allow for krausen, it sounds like a logical idea. Time to trade in the glass for New Year!