Just got a bunch of carboys! Should I...

[Kurtamous]

My pal's neighbor was throwing out 7 6 gallon glass carboys and a 5 gallon carboy (throwing them away! The madman!) and a couple boxes of wine bottles. Luckily a friend noticed and picked em up and gave me one hell of a cheerful surprise when he called me over to give em to me!

To avoid learning the hard way, I searched the forums to see if anyone had posed the question but could not quite find it: Could I use a 6 gallon carboy to ferment 5 gallons successfully without a blow-off tube? If not, why?

Thanks mates

 

[peachwein]

Although i'd never done this... what is the harm in fashioning a blow off tube? better safe than sorry...

 

[peachwein]

And wow... very nice find...

 

[veritas524]

Depends on the beer and yeast you're doing.... You could, but wouldn't you rather just have a little piece of mind by using a blow off tube?

 

[Kurtamous]

I don't think there is any harm, I just don't want to do it if I don't have to (never have).
I suppose I should have asked would I need to use a blow-off tube.

and yeah, It was the find of the year!

 

[Runyanka]

I ferment in a 6 gallon better bottle all the time, no worries. Always be safe and install a blow-off tube the first 2-3 days of active fermentation.

 

[bknifefight]

He wasn't even going to recycle them? What a bastard.

 

[Seven]

After a recent experience with my 5-gal batch coming out of the airlock on my 6.5-gal bucket, I'm now going to use a blowoff for the first few days every time.

I thought I'd have enough headspace in my brew bucket but the yeast had other plans!

I'd definitely recommend using a blowoff... they are very easy to make and give you peace of mind.

 

[msarro]

You can put together a blow off tube for a few dollars. Considering that there is a tiny risk with NOT using one... why not just eliminate all risk and have some piece of mind?

 

[KoedBrew]

Good find...I found a guy selling a bunch of carboys and stuff on craigslist

I got 4 - 3gallon...4 - 5 gallon ...and 1 - 7 gallon carboys
4 buckets
a fruit press for wine and stuff
about 48 wine bottles
a ton of corks, airlocks and tops
a scale
and a few other goodies
$200

I was a happy brewer that day

 

[iron_city_ap]

I don't think there is any harm, I just don't want to do it if I don't have to (never have).
I suppose I should have asked would I need to use a blow-off tube.

and yeah, It was the find of the year!

Everything you would need to set up a blow-off would cost you under $5. Its not about keeping the good stuff in, its about keeping bad stuff OUT. Yeah, most of the time you'll be fine, but for a couple bucks total investment, its worth the added peace of mind. If you prefer to not use one, then rock on, but they aren't complicated or expensive.

 

[Kurtamous]

Nice find Koed, and thanks all who replied! Ill make the blow-off tube and rest easy.

Thanks for the help! Now with all the carboys I'm hoping to find a beer to brew that needs a long fermentation (never done a lager, sour ale, lambic, or other such) so I can have that going while keeping the regular brews in rotation.

Cheers!