What size is your secondary?

[jaydlaw]

govner1

Off topic question. Where do you purchase goods/ supplies from? i ask because I am in the Atlanta area as well.

 

[jaydlaw]

1 more question...
I really want a 2nd primary that could be utilized as a secondary when needed, so 5 gal would be out of the question as that is the size of the batches i make. how much of an issue would it be to transfer from a 6.5 gal to a 6.5 gal secondary when necessary? has anyone ever done it, or does everyone always go from 6.5 to 5?

 

[Vamptrump]

I've done a 6.5 to a 6.5 before. The main issue that you get is all of the head room for oxygen. Oxygen = bad. One way to offset that is to flush with CO2, but that adds another step and expense. It is possible though.

 

[jaydlaw]

I've done a 6.5 to a 6.5 before. The main issue that you get is all of the head room for oxygen. Oxygen = bad. One way to offset that is to flush with CO2, but that adds another step and expense. It is possible though.

I get oxygen is bad, but if it is the same size as the primary, how much harm would i really be doing versus leaving it in the primary longer?

 

[Vamptrump]

The primary has established a bed of CO2 that protects. By transferring to another vessel you are breaking that seal that exists. Unless you have a good reason to go to a secondary, just leave it in the primary. So unless you recreate that seal by flushing the carboy with CO2 during a transfer, you are creating a decent head space of oxygen just waiting to ruin your day.

There was actually an interview with John Palmer that was posted yesterday on YouTube from CraigTube. Palmer actually said what I've been saying. Leave the beer in the primary unless you really have to do something to it such as adding fruit, bugs, etc. He said he wants to edit his book again, and make that point clear. Big bad autolysis isn't as much of an issue as it was 20 yrs ago when he originally preached about moving to secondary.

 

[ArcLight]

response in your post:

The primary has established a bed of CO2 that protects.

That's not really true. O2 can leak in when you open the fermentor to take a gravity reading, and buckets leak O2 as well. Gasses mix (I forgot the law from Chemistry), and Oxidation can occur over time

By transferring to another vessel you are breaking that seal that exists. Unless you have a good reason to go to a secondary, just leave it in the primary. So unless you recreate that seal by flushing the carboy with CO2 during a transfer, you are creating a decent head space of oxygen just waiting to ruin your day.

This is only true if you rack to a vessel with a lot of head space. A 5 gallon Better Bottle has less head space than your primary fermentor, and is less Oxygen permeable than a bucket.


There was actually an interview with John Palmer that was posted yesterday on YouTube from CraigTube. Palmer actually said what I've been saying. Leave the beer in the primary unless you really have to do something to it such as adding fruit, bugs, etc. He said he wants to edit his book again, and make that point clear. Big bad autolysis isn't as much of an issue as it was 20 yrs ago when he originally preached about moving to secondary.

Autolysis isn't a problem over 2-4 weeks, especially if the beer isn't warm. But it can be over 3-6+ months, especially if the beer isn't cool.

 

[ArcLight]

1 more question...
I really want a 2nd primary that could be utilized as a secondary when needed, so 5 gal would be out of the question as that is the size of the batches i make. how much of an issue would it be to transfer from a 6.5 gal to a 6.5 gal secondary when necessary? has anyone ever done it, or does everyone always go from 6.5 to 5?

I would buy another fermentation bucket and not rack to a secondary.
Minimizing headspace in a secondary is quite important.

 

[Vamptrump]

response in your post:

What you are saying is true. Most of my responses were under the assumption of moving from a 6.5 carboy to another 6.5 carboy. A lot of the issues then become factors vs. moving from 6.5 to 5.

 

[jaydlaw]

Thanks all, so what I'm getting from the thread is that if I purchase a 6.5 gallon carboy it is best if I utilize as a primary only. I'm hesitant to purchase a 5 gal cause I have more of a need for an additional primary verses a secondary.

 

[govner1]

govner1

Off topic question. Where do you purchase goods/ supplies from? i ask because I am in the Atlanta area as well.

I go to Just Brew It in the Southside. Go supplies & prices on grains, yeast, etc.

 

[jaydlaw]

I go to Just Brew It in the Southside. Go supplies & prices on grains, yeast, etc.

thanks, i'll check them out, next time i make a supply run, better than going all the way to marietta considering i'm already on the southside (douglasville).

 

[jaydlaw]

Went there, good spot. The guy is helpful and personable. I'll check him out again. That being said the distance from me makes other choices more likely as I can access as they are nearer to work and hangout spots.