Too much headspace for lager in secondary?

[losman26]

I just transferred a 5 gal recipe from a 6 gal better bottle to a 5 gal better bottle, and there seems to be an awful lot of head-space. It goes from one inch above where it says "better bottle" on the carboy all the way to the top. I'm beginning the lager phase right now.

Is this something I should be worried about? I've heard that C02 will protect the beer from head space, but almost all the co2 is gone? Should I perhaps not use an airlock and just the plug to keep co2 in? Some people say add sugar as well. Or should I just lager like normal, and wait see what happens?

 

[david_42]

Some CO2 will come out of the beer during the transfer, so it's probably okay. But you can add an ounce of table sugar to generate a fresh blanket.

 

[losman26]

Should I be worried about contamination with the sugar without boiling it? Or should I boil some water? Should I use an airlock or standard plug?

 

[paraordnance]

I lagered maibock once for 4 months in 6 gal carboy. I had atleast 2 gal of headspace and I had no problems.

 

[losman26]

I lagered maibock once for 4 months in 6 gal carboy. I had atleast 2 gal of headspace and I had no problems.

Did you have any airlock activity going?

 

[osagedr]

IMO this is one of those cases where the cure can be worse than the disease.

I'd just leave it.

 

[bessieflames]

If you swirl after it is in secondary, CO2 will come out of the beer and create a fresh blanket.

 

[paraordnance]

Did you have any airlock activity going?

I had a solid bung on it and when I pull it out once a month or so, it always made "whooo" kind of sound, meaning there is always positive pressure build up so I would not worry about oxidation much

 

[losman26]

I had a solid bung on it and when I pull it out once a month or so, it always made "whooo" kind of sound, meaning there is always positive pressure build up so I would not worry about oxidation much

Do you mean, don't worry about oxidation with the airlock on, or put the solid bung and not worry about it?