[Keith G]

So my first Brew day is this Tuesday, and I'm really excited.  This forum has been super helpful in giving tips to get my equipment and processes ready.  However, I had a question about 5 gal. brewing w/ Carboys.  I have a fermenting bucket to brew my first batch, however I don't think I'll be able to wait 4 wks to start another, so I've been looking at some carboys on craigslist.  There are a bunch of 5 gal. carboys available at a good price, however is that going to be large enough for fermenting my wort, or am I going to run out of room?  Obviously a 6 gal. would be better, but there aren't any available right now.

Any help is appreciated, thank you very much.

-Keith

[jeffy]

So my first Brew day is this Tuesday, and I'm really excited.  This forum has been super helpful in giving tips to get my equipment and processes ready.  However, I had a question about 5 gal. brewing w/ Carboys.  I have a fermenting bucket to brew my first batch, however I don't think I'll be able to wait 4 wks to start another, so I've been looking at some carboys on craigslist.  There are a bunch of 5 gal. carboys available at a good price, however is that going to be large enough for fermenting my wort, or am I going to run out of room?  Obviously a 6 gal. would be better, but there aren't any available right now.

Any help is appreciated, thank you very much.

-Keith

A five gallon carboy is too small to ferment a standard size five gallon batch, but you can transfer your beer from a bucket to a five gallon carboy after a couple weeks if you need the bucket for a fresh batch of wort.
On the other hand, buckets are cheaper and sturdier than carboys.

[ynotbrusum]

I would use buckets for almost every non-aged style of beer.  Or get the Speidels - they are great!


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[Keith G]

Thanks for the tips guys.  I'd love another bucket, I just can't find any cheaper than the carboys.  I'll keep looking for a 6 gal.

[HoosierBrew]

I just can't find any cheaper than the carboys.  I'll keep looking for a 6 gal.

Dude........here ya go. These are all I use, except for long term secondary :

http://shop.greatfermentations.com/product/7-9-gallon-fermenting-bucket/plastic-fermenters


EDIT  -  The other thing I love about these buckets is that you can make a 5.5 gallon batch and have plenty of headspace, even for really vigorous yeast strains like WY3068, 3787, etc.

[flbrewer]

+1 on the Speidel 30L. Love it.

[micsager]

I just can't find any cheaper than the carboys.  I'll keep looking for a 6 gal.

Dude........here ya go. These are all I use, except for long term secondary :

http://shop.greatfermentations.com/product/7-9-gallon-fermenting-bucket/plastic-fermenters


EDIT  -  The other thing I love about these buckets is that you can make a 5.5 gallon batch and have plenty of headspace, even for really vigorous yeast strains like WY3068, 3787, etc.

+1 on the 7 gallon buckets.  Here's a source about half the cost of others:

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=23470&catid=752

If you are close to Port Angeles, WA, I have about 20 of these you can have for free. 

[mattybrass]

Assuming proper pitch rate, aeration and an average gravity you should only need to be in primary 2 weeks or so.

[Keith G]

Thanks for all the help guys.  Looks like ordering another bucket is the way to go for me.

[Keith G]

I just can't find any cheaper than the carboys.  I'll keep looking for a 6 gal.

Dude........here ya go. These are all I use, except for long term secondary :

http://shop.greatfermentations.com/product/7-9-gallon-fermenting-bucket/plastic-fermenters


EDIT  -  The other thing I love about these buckets is that you can make a 5.5 gallon batch and have plenty of headspace, even for really vigorous yeast strains like WY3068, 3787, etc.

+1 on the 7 gallon buckets.  Here's a source about half the cost of others:

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=23470&catid=752

If you are close to Port Angeles, WA, I have about 20 of these you can have for free.

Thanks for the offer, however I'm on the other end of the country.