How much headspace neccesary in primary?

[akthor]

So they want $15+ for a fermenting bucket and lid at the local natural food store.

I followed the advice I saw on here and called the bakery in town and scored what I thought were 4 free food grade six gallon buckets with lids. Well they are not 6 gallons they are the normal 5 gallon height kind but still food grade.

Can I still use them? How much head room do I need?

 

[arturo7]

Just use a blow-off tube instead of an airlock.

 

[Suthrncomfrt1884]

I would allow at least an extra half gallon of room for most beers. It really depends on the yeast and what sort of krausen they put off.

 

[Revvy]

I agree about the minimum 1/2 gallon of headspace.

 

[jpb5151]

Over here this weekend, even a gallon headspace wasn't enough (Nottingham yeast, normal brew with just too much water added somehow), clogging even with the airlock removed. I'd play it safe, even if you're a little short volumewise.

 

[akthor]

It appears headroom is not as important in Ed's Apfelwein and it's not as picky even just making a batch with 4.5 gallons of juice. So I will just use them for Apfelwein and either buy some more 6 gallon ones for beer of try to find some 6 gal ones at the bakeries in town.

 

[smokinghole]

I've had plenty of blow off in my 7g bucket with a 5.5g batch.

 

[mosquitocontrol]

http://beprepared.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_MS C201_A_name_E_6-Gallon Bucket with Lid

$7.99 with lid, buy the 50cent or so grommets on your next online order. Drill a 3/8" hole for a half price fermenter. I believe there is a code for free shipping on $25.

 

[akthor]

Thx for that!

http://beprepared.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_MS C201_A_name_E_6-Gallon Bucket with Lid

$7.99 with lid, buy the 50cent or so grommets on your next online order. Drill a 3/8" hole for a half price fermenter. I believe there is a code for free shipping on $25.

 

[msa8967]

I could not find the code for free shipping via the site. Can anyone PM me the code for free shipping on $25 or more?

thanks

 

[nanofreak]

Just split your batches into about 2.5 gallons per fermenter. You can play with things like using different dry hops, or fruits on a wheat beer, or different yeasts.

Those buckets could work just fine.

 

[nanofreak]

http://beprepared.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_MS C201_A_name_E_6-Gallon Bucket with Lid

$7.99 with lid, buy the 50cent or so grommets on your next online order. Drill a 3/8" hole for a half price fermenter. I believe there is a code for free shipping on $25.

Just saw the pic on the bucket in that link, very fitting for how I feel about my homebrew.