I need a second primary...

[Gopher40]

I can clearly see I will be needing a second primary to keep the pipeline going. I know an ale pail does the job just fine, but it sure would be nice to at least SEE the beer progress. Question is: What size carboy would be best for an all around primary? By "all around" I mean one that work fine for lower and higher gravities. I know an overflow will be needed for bigger beers, at least the first week or so. I was thinking a 6 gallon???

 

[marubozo]

Yeah, if you are doing 5 gallon batches you'll want a 6 gallon carboy or better bottle. I'd still just recommend another bucket, though. The novelty of seeing your beer in a carboy wears off and then you're stuck with a heavier and more dangerous (if glass) fermenter, a little harder to clean, etc.

But either way is fine and if you get a 6 gallon you'll have enough head space to accommodate the active fermentation. The drawback is with that added head space you then have a vessel that isn't ideal for a secondary because of the added head space.

In my case, I have a bunch of buckets and then a few 5 gallon better bottles since I only use them for bulk aging, dry hopping, or making apfelwein so I want as little head space as possible.

 

[wyzazz]

+1 you'll want at least a 6 gallon vessel for a 5 gallon batch, I use 7 gallon Aqua-Tainers from the camping section in Wal-Mart. @ $11.88 each I can't beat them!

 

[iron_city_ap]

I have a bucket and a 6gal better bottle. The bucket is far easier to clean. I pretty much use the better bottle if I'm making fruit additions, or as a secondary if I'm looking for a little extra clarity. For the most part though, I just let the beer sit in the bucket for about 3-4 weeks. +1 to just getting another one.

 

[TheBroonery]

I just got another lid + airlock that fits my bottling bucket and use it as a primary sometimes, with the spigot on and closed.