Cedar Rapids Brewing Society

Will 3 gallon carboys work for 1/2 (2.5 gallon) extract batches? I'm worried there might be too much air in them. I think it would be easier for me to do half batches from the recipe perspective.
Randy

Should be fine, in fact you need plenty of head space for the fermentation, you fill it too full and you could easily get a clogged air lock. In the secondary is where you would be more concerned with excessive head space.


From: carrisr [mailto:brew-equipment@crbeernuts.org]
Sent: Friday, March 05, 2010 3:55 PM
To: brew-equipment@crbeernuts.org
Subject: Carboys for half batches


Will 3 gallon carboys work for 1/2 (2.5 gallon) extract batches? I'm worried there might be too much air in them. I think it would be easier for me to do half batches from the recipe perspective.
Randy

Post generated using Mail2Forum (http://www.mail2forum.com)

So will they work fo secondary or will I need to find something a little smaller?
Randy

Those should be good too unless you end up with considerably less volume.




From: carrisr [mailto:brew-equipment@crbeernuts.org]
Sent: Friday, March 05, 2010 5:02 PM
To: brew-equipment@crbeernuts.org
Subject: Re: Carboys for half batches


So will they work fo secondary or will I need to find something a little smaller?
Randy

Post generated using Mail2Forum (http://www.mail2forum.com)

I think a 3 gallon carboy will work fine for secondary. I know I stopped doing a secondary years ago unless I am dry-hopping or for lagers. I picked up that tip from the Brew Strong show and Mr. Wizard in BYO. Once the primariy fermentation is done I transfer to the keg and I'm done.

One more tip for a beginner, buy an auto siphon. They are relatively inexpensive and make getting wort in and out of carboys and pots very easy. I would get the larger 1/2" versus the 3/8" size as they are much faster due to the larger diameter and the cost difference is about $3. I have one you can check out if you make it to the March meeting.

Thanks for the tips, I really appreciate it.

Randy