Joe's Ancient Orange - Question about sizing and air at top...

[jhiggy]

I wasn't getting the answers I needed on the recipe forum, so I thought I would give this a go. Hopefully someone with some JOAM experience can give me some help.

I probably should have thought of this before I started my brew but..I only have 5 gallons in a 6 gallon container? Is that going to cause a problem? Will the extra air be an issue? If so, can I put another 2.5lbs in and top it off with water once the foaming stops? (Honestly my never foamed like crazy)

Here is what I have in it right now, 17.5lbs of honey, 2 packets of yeast, 2 cloves, 3 cinnamon sticks, 5 oranges, a couple pinches of all spice, a couple pinches of nutmeg and enough water to make 5 gallons. There is enough space for 1 more gallon.

Also, I have 5 oranges in my batch, was this overkill? The recipe states to increase everything in equal parts, which I did minus the cloves and cinnamon. If it is overkill, can I fish them out with a sanitized strainer? (I'm using a bucket to ferment)

Thanks for any help!

 

[fatbloke]

If it's not foaming out the top then WTF, let it run its course.

It's VVV easy, as a home brewer to read enough to.get.greedy and/or panic when and if you get problems.

It is likely fine as it is, and in any case, any airspace will fill with CO2 and not.be an issue........

 

[jhiggy]

Cool! Thanks as a noobie I sometimes get too deep into the forums and then start second guessing myself. I know this is an easy brew but it's the unknown that haunts me! (Plus the 60 dollars in honey I have in it =P)

If I start to stress about it, would it hurt anything to top off with honey and water?

 

[Arpolis]

UP the spices man! I have made many a JOAM. If you follow the directions and don't touch it at all over the next 3+ months. Then it will be fine. A layer of CO2 will settle over the mead and protect it. Just don't disturbed it after fermentation ends.

Back to the first statement. Up the spices! I think a JOAM weak on the spices makes to much of the flavor focus on the sweet orange and pith and the pitch is not too pleasant. I personally think the clove is the best balancing spice. I would say add at least another 5 pinches of nutmeg and all spice and add another 6 - 8 whole cloves. The cinnamon should be ok.

 

[JustinCider]

6 to 8 more cloves to total 10 in a five gallon batch would have excessive clove flavor IMO...to each their own though...

 

[Arpolis]

I have always added 2 clove per gallon. But yes to each his own.

 

[jhiggy]

Thanks! I'll add a little more spices and call it a day. Seems to be bubbling pretty good now.