Is a 7.9 Gal Primary too BIG?

[HDbrewer]

I plan on doing a 5 gallon extract brew this weekend in a 7.9 gallon primary. I don't plan on transfering it to a secondary. Will there be too much head space with this primary to do that? Or would I be better off using a 6.5 gallon primary?

 

[duboman]

I plan on doing a 5 gallon extract brew this weekend in a 7.9 gallon primary. I don't plan on transfering it to a secondary. Will there be too much head space with this primary to do that? Or would I be better off using a 6.5 gallon primary?

It'll be fine as long as you keep a layer of CO2 blanket. Meaning don't go crazy opening up the primary repeatedly to look at your beer or take excessive gravity readings, especially after active fermentation subsides. I wouldn't leave the beer in the primary much longer than necessary, when it's ready and clear, package it.

 

[Ramitt]

I plan on doing a 5 gallon extract brew this weekend in a 7.9 gallon primary. I don't plan on transfering it to a secondary. Will there be too much head space with this primary to do that? Or would I be better off using a 6.5 gallon primary?

It will be fine

 

[funkadelicturkey]

Welcome to the forum! I have found that 7.9 gallon buckets are preferable. Not so much worrying with blow off (especially in warmer months without temp control). I usually let it do its thing for 4 weeks and then bottle or keg. If this is your first time using the bucket you might be in for a surprise when you try to remove the lid. A bucket lid wrench/pail opener $3-$5 at home depot makes it easier than trying to rip it off with your fingers..

 

[menerdari]

I am using a Brewers Best vino vessel, I think it is 7.9 gallons. I really like the lid much better than the one from my ale pail. it has a nice rubber gasket inside the outer edge.

 

[HDbrewer]

Welcome to the forum! I have found that 7.9 gallon buckets are preferable. Not so much worrying with blow off (especially in warmer months without temp control). I usually let it do its thing for 4 weeks and then bottle or keg. If this is your first time using the bucket you might be in for a surprise when you try to remove the lid. A bucket lid wrench/pail opener $3-$5 at home depot make it easy than trying to rip it off with your fingers..

I really appreciate all of your help! This is my first brew and I have to say that you guys have shared enough of your experience to get me hooked on brewing without actually having brewed a batch of beer yet!

 

[FuzzeWuzze]

My home brew shop only sells 8 gallon buckets, they work great and i dont know why everyone doesnt use them. During primary fermentation you want as much space as possible, your always going to be filling that headspace with CO2.

I wouldnt age anything in one, but they are perfectly fine and better than anything else IMO because you will never have to use a blowoff tube, even in some giant imperial stout 3 gallons of headroom should be more than enough to prevent the need for a blowoff

 

[sr20steve]

My home brew shop only sells 8 gallon buckets, they work great and i dont know why everyone doesnt use them. During primary fermentation you want as much space as possible, your always going to be filling that headspace with CO2.

I wouldnt age anything in one, but they are perfectly fine and better than anything else IMO because you will never have to use a blowoff tube, even in some giant imperial stout 3 gallons of headroom should be more than enough to prevent the need for a blowoff

I probably use the same ones as you (brewcraft) I actually bought them up in Oregon in Medford. Best carboy ever, 8 gallons with a spigot for taking gravity reading without opening the lid. No worries about blowing the lid, and you can still use a blowoff if your heart desires with some 3/8 tubing into the rubber gasket on top. I believe they are made in australia.

 

[HDbrewer]

Do you recommend having a bottling spigot on primary for taking readings?

 

[Brulosopher]

Do you recommend having a bottling spigot on primary for taking readings?

I personally like the spigots, which clean obsessively after each batch. But I don't use them for gravity readings, just racking to kegs. I've no fear in removing the lid a single time when I'm pretty certain FG has been reached.

 

[funkadelicturkey]

Do you recommend having a bottling spigot on primary for taking readings?

It is a matter of personal preference but I don't like the idea of a spigot on my fermenter. Using the spigot for a one time use such as racking to a keg sounds okay (since you would be able to remove and thoroughly clean it) but a wine thief/turkey baster is, in my opinion, easier to sanitize before and after gravity readings.

I prefer to use an auto-siphon to transfer the beer to a bottling bucket or keg. The bottling bucket has a spigot which I run lots of starsan through when sanitizing the bottling bucket and bottling wand.

 

[BigRob]

I would recommend against using a bottling spigot on your primary, they're not reliable, and cleaning up 5 gallons of fermenting beer is not a fun task.

 

[Ramitt]

A bucket lid wrench/pail opener $3-$5 at home depot makes it easier than trying to rip it off with your fingers..

I second this, get 2 just incase you can't find the other one.