Head Room

[hogan029]

Hey there,

The attached photo shows my current brew. I was wondering if I should be using a smaller Carboy as there is a lot of room. Any advice would be appreciated.

Cheers!

 

[Queequeg]

Assuming this is primary that will be fine. They'll be so much CO2 produced it will easier fill that space and keep it at positive pressure.

Even if this was secondary the action of racking will release enough Co2 to refill that headspace.

If you don't have blow off you need that head space anyway and depending on the yeast you might get krausen in the airlock. Just keep an eye out.

 

[hogan029]

Thanks,

This is actually the secondary fermenter..

 

[IvanTheTerribrew]

Hey there. Question is if this is primary or secondary?
If it's primary, you actually should have even more space. A good rule of thumb is to have at least 20% head space. So for a 5 gal batch should have at least 1 gal head space.

If it's secondary, then yes you want as little headspace as possible. But the reason you want it to have less head space is to avoid oxidation. Moving it into another vessel would only risk more oxidation. One way to avoid this if you have a kegging set up is to just fill the vessel with CO2 before and after you fill it. Hope this helps.


- ISM NRP

 

[Queequeg]

It should be ok, did you notice any significant airlock activity post transfer? If you did then a least some of the air has been displaced.

I have had beer in a secondary with similar head space, had no oxdation issues. You can always buy a c02 charger if your worried and just blast the head space.

 

[hogan029]

Thanks for the reply. Yes there had been a lot of airlock activity after the transfer. I'm sure it will be okay. Just being paranoid. Thanks again.

 

[Puddlethumper]

A 5 gal. carboy used as a secondary should ideally be filled all the way into the neck of the carboy. This reduces the surface area exposed to oxygen thus reducing the concern over oxidation (premature staling) of the beer. If the picture is of a 5 gal. carboy then you don't have a 5 gal. batch of beer; more likely a 4 gal. batch. If this is the case your beer will be OK but drink it right away and make another batch with an eye toward finishing with the correct volume of finished product,

Cheers.