Secondary in a 6 gal?

[paanderson86]

Can I do secondary fermentation in a 6 gallon carboy or is that too much headspace?

 

[LLBeanJ]

Assuming the liquid level won't be all the way up to the neck, it's too much headspace. Ask yourself why you're doing a secondary and if you can't come up with a good answer, skip it.

 

[kh54s10]

It is fine if you are doing a 6 gallon batch. Otherwise (and even if it is a 6 gallon batch) just leave it in primary until it is ready to bottle. I rarely do a secondary.

Too much headspace for a 5 gallon batch.

 

[paanderson86]

Does the secondary fermentation not increase clarity? Do you need to do secondary to dry hop or can you do that in primary?

 

[LLBeanJ]

Time improves clarity. So does cold crashing and fining with gelatin if you have the ability. And yes, you can dry hop in primary. I'd start dry hopping as soon as the krausen begins to clear.

 

[wmcc75]

Does the secondary fermentation not increase clarity? Do you need to do secondary to dry hop or can you do that in primary?

I've only dry hopped in primary.

 

[kh54s10]

Lately, I only dry hop in primary. Yes a secondary will help clear the beer, how much more is, IMO, negligible. cold crashing, gelatin or other clearing options. I have only done a couple experiments with clearing options. Didn't see any appreciable improvement.

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

Does the secondary fermentation not increase clarity? Do you need to do secondary to dry hop or can you do that in primary?

All fermentation is done in the primary and has no effect on clarity if you don't secondary.Yeast will eventually drop out(clarity)in the primary.All dryhop is done in the primary.Secondary's are a thing of the past except for certain circumstances like adding fruit.If your reading the directions on a kit there most likely outdated

 

[paanderson86]

I did get that information from a kit… That makes sense. Thank you for your help everybody.