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Author Topic: Fermenter head space  (Read 2276 times)

Offline DancingBrewer

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Fermenter head space
« on: August 28, 2014, 07:34:01 am »
I am converting a 15.5 gal keg into a conical fermenter and need to know what affect the extra head space will have on fermentation if at all. Any suggestions and/or reference material is greatly appreciated.

Offline morticaixavier

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Re: Fermenter head space
« Reply #1 on: August 28, 2014, 08:28:01 am »
too much headspace is not really a problem in a fermenter. it's going to fill with co2 during active fermentation pretty much regardless.
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Offline erockrph

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Re: Fermenter head space
« Reply #2 on: August 28, 2014, 11:19:12 am »
I ferment 2-3 gallons in 6.5 gallon buckets all the time. Extra headspace isn't a problem.
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Offline HoosierBrew

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Re: Fermenter head space
« Reply #3 on: August 28, 2014, 12:06:27 pm »
5.5 gallon batches in 8 gallon buckets here.
Jon H.

Offline DancingBrewer

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Re: Fermenter head space
« Reply #4 on: August 29, 2014, 06:25:33 am »
Okay, thank you. I'm sure there is a science to it but at this scale it's probably not worth worrying about. I just wanted to make sure that doing anywhere from 1-2 up to 10 gallon batches wouldn't be detrimental to my delicious little childrens. 

Offline dkfick

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Re: Fermenter head space
« Reply #5 on: August 29, 2014, 08:04:26 am »
I have a 14.5 gallon conical that I do 6 gallon batches in all the time.  The head space is not an issue UNTIL you decide you are going to lager in said vessel.  I had all sorts of issues when I tried to lager in the conical as a unitank with my beers picking up o2 over the extended aging and getting acetaldehyde.  Once I switched to lagering in either a carboy or keg this issue was resolved... but just a word of warning.
 
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Offline morticaixavier

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Re: Fermenter head space
« Reply #6 on: August 29, 2014, 08:33:30 am »
Okay, thank you. I'm sure there is a science to it but at this scale it's probably not worth worrying about. I just wanted to make sure that doing anywhere from 1-2 up to 10 gallon batches wouldn't be detrimental to my delicious little childrens.

a 1 or 2 gallon batch might be impractical based on geometry and where your racking arm sits. I'd keep a couple empty glass cider jugs or a few 5 gallon buckets for the 1 or 2 gallon batches
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Offline mattybrass

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Re: Fermenter head space
« Reply #7 on: August 29, 2014, 08:52:46 am »
Okay, thank you. I'm sure there is a science to it but at this scale it's probably not worth worrying about. I just wanted to make sure that doing anywhere from 1-2 up to 10 gallon batches wouldn't be detrimental to my delicious little childrens.

a 1 or 2 gallon batch might be impractical based on geometry and where your racking arm sits. I'd keep a couple empty glass cider jugs or a few 5 gallon buckets for the 1 or 2 gallon batches

Id definitely agree with this. 1-2 gallons wont fill up very much space in a keg. you would have a very hard time racking it out.

Offline DancingBrewer

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Re: Fermenter head space
« Reply #8 on: August 29, 2014, 12:19:39 pm »
Good point. Also impractical to have it tied up with only a couple gallons in it for weeks on end and not be able to ferment larger batches in it when the buckets will suffice for small batches. Thanks again.