Using corny for primary?

[Summa_Brewologica]

You, sir, are extremely helpful. Thank you so much. I’m gonna go with the 10 gallon.

 

[Gusso]

You, sir, are extremely helpful. Thank you so much. I’m gonna go with the 10 gallon.

Any time!

 

[beersk]

I've had no problems with headspace on the 6 gallon after 5 brews. I don't use ferrmcap and use a blow off tube. The problem I have experienced is my floating dip tube getting clogged and having to use high pressure to unclog it.

Huh, interesting. I don't think this would happen with the Clear Beer Draft System floating dip tubes, which is what I use. I have a couple of those keg buoys or whatever they're calling them and they're shoddy at best in my experience. In my opinion, though, there's no other way to go when fermenting in kegs - a floating dip tube is just awesome.

 

[tennesseean_87]

Hello all. First post after some time away!

I'm considering using a corny keg for primary, looking for guidance and answers to some questions

1. In general, are there an downsides?
2. With a five gallon corny, is there any headspace above the five gallon level? (I typically do five gallon batches)
3. Woud probably use a quick connect to attach a blowoff tube to the gas-in fitting. Is there a better approach for handling blowoff?
4. Can priming sugar be added to a corny, and bottles filled straight from the keg?
5. Is there anything to keep in mind regarding forced transfers with CO2?
6. Rather than shorten the out tube, has anybody used the Clear Beer Draught System? If so, how did it work out? https://www.shop.clearbeerdraughtsystem.com/main.sc
7. How difficult is it to clean/disinfect the keg and fittings between batches?
8. What's the height of a corny, from the base up to top of the rubber collar? (needs to fit in my chest freezer)
9. Is there anythig else I shoud be asking?

Thanks!

3. I use a jumper from fermenting keg gas port to liquid port on a clean, sanitized serving keg. Spunding valve goes on the gas port of serving keg. Over the course of fermentation, the CO2 purges my serving keg for me.
6. I use floating dip tube like those sold for the fermonster (I think that's the one EDIT: fermzilla). I bought some stainless lock washers to weight down the dip tube under the float because sometimes it gets stuck against a wall. I'm still fine-tuning how many to use so that it still floats but has enough weight to keep it submerged. I've accidentally left a good bit of beer in the fermenter because I thought it was done, but it just needed a jiggle and/or more weight.

I think MoreBeer made this keg just for this reason... otherwise i cannot for the life of me figure out why anyone would want a 6 gallon corny.
Is there any other reason?

For $110, you are like almost to a stainless bucket, and a good chunk of the way to an actual fermentor.

EDIT: duh! Of course! I got this email from moreber today.

"New 6G Ball Lock Torpedo Kegs!

When we say 6G we're not talking about some new cell towers, we're talking GALLONS! A lot of homebrewers brew their batches to finish around 5.5-6 gallons to account for loss along the way. Nothing hurts more than seeing beer start coming out the PRV and knowing you have another half gallon or so left in the fermenter! Not to mention if your carbing through the gas post you won't have much if any surface area for the cO2 if that keg is filled to the brim. Fret of wasted beer no More! with the new 6 Gallon Ball Lock Torpedo Kegs!"

https://www.morebeer.com/products/torpedo-ball-lock-keg-6-gal.html

This would be my ideal. If you're skinny, you can get your arm in to clean the keg and do full sized batches still.

Buckets usually don't hold lots of pressure for spunding the end of fermentation or pressure transfers. Obviously without pressure you can't serve from them either.

Sankey kegs are much better than corny kegs for fermentation. And they can now be adapted to accept ball locks. A 30L/8 gallon keg should be fine for most single batch fermentations. Re floating dip tubes, they've been used in UK casks for years and, apart from being very effective, I believe the much simpler designs are available in the US too. They work great in sankey kegs. Don't be put off by the fact they're made from plastic (FDA approved polypropylene and stainless steel mesh), my first one has been in continuous use for 4 years now and still looks new.

I use a 7.79 gallon slim quarter sanke for my main fermenter. Cleaning is the biggest issue, because it can be very difficult to make sure you have the krausen ring gone, etc. Otherwise, I think it's pretty slick. I'd maybe prefer the 6 gallon corny, though.