What size primary?

[NewkyBrown]

Hi
I have been reading a lot of threads regarding whether or not to use a secondary fermenter. For those who only use a primary, what size do you use for 5gallon batch? Would a 5gal carboy have enough room?

 

[kylevester]

I use buckets that are 6.5 or 7 gallons. The same type that come in homebrewing kits. I have friends who use 6.5 gallon carboys for primary.

You're really pushing it with a 5 gallon carboy. You can get about 5.25 gallons or so in there, but you're right up on the neck and will get lots of blow outs. If you only put 5 gallons in there, you can get away with it by using fermcap, but your final batch amount will be only 4.5 gallons, give or take.

A 6 gallon better bottle can be used just fine as well. You have about 1.25 or so gallons head space with 5 gallons in there, and enough room for 5.5 gallons fermenting.

 

[NewkyBrown]

Thanks for the reply. When you use a 6.5 gal primary, is the head space too much for the full conditioning or do you rack to a secondary?

 

[kylevester]

I don't bother with secondary unless I'm doing a fruit beer or something else that needs conditioning. Certain styles I'll do a secondary too, like imperial stouts and barleywines cause they need a little longer fermentation time and I play it safe by not doing a long term primary. I keg, so that ends up being my conditioning vessel after 2-4 weeks in the primary. I also purge my carboys with CO2 when used for secondary.

With bottling, 2-4 weeks in the primary followed by a cold crash (if you're able) and then bottling and conditioning for 2-4 weeks for most styles will do you well. IMO, a secondary just adds to chances of oxidation.

 

[kylevester]

Thanks for the reply. When you use a 6.5 gal primary, is the head space too much for the full conditioning or do you rack to a secondary?

Forgot to answer about the head space. Yeah, it's fine. CO2 production fills the head space up pretty quick and allows no oxidation and the beer finishes just fine.

 

[Yesfan]

I got one of these in the mail a few days ago. (link)


They are 6-6.5 gallons and seem to have a pretty good seal on the lids. I'll probably order me another pair so I have a decent stock of those size fermentors.

All you have to do is drill a hole in the lid and add the grommet. You can get those at your Lowe's or Home Depot. When I put in a recent order to Northern Brewer for some recipe kits, I added a few of their grommets since they're only $0.50/ea.