Racking question

[taurean]

I want to do a Kolsch and an Altbier for October 22nd. I'd like to just brew both the same day and get it over with.

I have a 6.5 gallon F.bucket, a 5 gallon carboy, and two 6.5 gallon carboys.

I figured I would ferment one in the bucket, and the other in a 6.5g carboy.

When I rack them, one will obviously go into the 5g carboy, but is it ok to rack the other in a 6.5g carboy? I know that is a lot of airspace on top, but does this really affect it enough for me to run out and buy another 5g carboy?

Thoughts, opinions?

 

[WVBeerBaron]

I've used a 6.5g for 2ndary a few times with no trouble though I know less space is better. With what you have I'd primary one in the 6.5g bucket and one in a 6.5g carboy, then rack one into the 5g carboy and one into the other 6.5g carboy.

 

[kpr121]

Or dont rack to secondary at all! Look it up, almost everyone here just goes with a 3-4+ week primary, then straight to bottle or keg.

 

[Calder]

If you are really concerned, you could boil up a couple of ounces of sugar and add it when racking. The sugar will generate CO2 to take up the headspace. With just a couple of ounces, it is like when you bottle, it does not really get the yeast worked up , just keeps them working for a little longer.