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Author Topic: 6 gallon better bottle fermentation capacity  (Read 2651 times)

Offline Smilee

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6 gallon better bottle fermentation capacity
« on: September 09, 2014, 06:00:01 pm »
Hello fellow brewers.

I'm a new brewer here, and have a silly little question.  What would you say a max fermentation capacity of a 6 gal Better Bottle would be?  In researching recipes I have seen recommended top offs of 5.25 gal or higher.  Wondering if I am ok still. 

Thanks in advance for your insight.

Offline duboman

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Re: 6 gallon better bottle fermentation capacity
« Reply #1 on: September 09, 2014, 06:23:11 pm »
At 5.25 gallons you would have adequate head space with a blow off tube but you might lose a bit of yeast as it blows out.  Even with only 5 gallons I'd still recommend a blow off tube.
 
Remember that at the bottle tapers at the top reducing available space for krausen.
Peace....Love......Beer......

The Commune Brewing Company-Perfecting the craft of beer since 2010

Offline Smilee

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Re: 6 gallon better bottle fermentation capacity
« Reply #2 on: September 09, 2014, 06:37:28 pm »
So would you say that is pretty much the max?

Offline duboman

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Re: 6 gallon better bottle fermentation capacity
« Reply #3 on: September 09, 2014, 06:38:18 pm »
Yup:)
Peace....Love......Beer......

The Commune Brewing Company-Perfecting the craft of beer since 2010

Offline Smilee

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Re: 6 gallon better bottle fermentation capacity
« Reply #4 on: September 09, 2014, 06:49:53 pm »
Brilliant!

Thanks.

Offline Stevie

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Re: 6 gallon better bottle fermentation capacity
« Reply #5 on: September 09, 2014, 10:48:46 pm »
I put 5.25-5.5 gallons in all the time. I always use a blowoff and need it about half the time.

Offline reverseapachemaster

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Re: 6 gallon better bottle fermentation capacity
« Reply #6 on: September 10, 2014, 07:48:13 am »
No more than 5.2513543234321.
Heck yeah I blog about homebrewing: Brain Sparging on Brewing

Offline theDarkSide

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Re: 6 gallon better bottle fermentation capacity
« Reply #7 on: September 10, 2014, 08:44:30 am »
5.5 gallon in mine with a blowoff tube.  Some blow off more than others.  I also use Fermcap-S at the start of my boil so I don't know if any of that carries over.

The orange carboy caps and 1/2" vinyl tubing making a great blowoff setup.
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Offline Stevie

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Re: 6 gallon better bottle fermentation capacity
« Reply #8 on: September 10, 2014, 09:48:40 am »
I use the orange caps as well but attach the blow off to the smaller end and use 3/8". The tube will sometime get constipated and I won't here any bubbles. It's like the fat kid from willy wonka. I do it this way since I stick a thermowell in the later port.

I also use large hose clamps with a wing nut to tighten seal it up well.

Offline 4swan

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Re: 6 gallon better bottle fermentation capacity
« Reply #9 on: September 10, 2014, 11:25:21 am »
A number 10 drilled stopper will work for a blow off too. The 3/8" tube will sometimes get clogged like Steve said.  A few years ago I bought a drilled No. 10 with a 1/2" hole which works better.  Northern Brewer sells it as a Blowoff Assembly for PET  Fermenters.  If you use StarSan as a sanitizer, the stopper gets a little slick and likes to pop out until it dries.

Offline duboman

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Re: 6 gallon better bottle fermentation capacity
« Reply #10 on: September 10, 2014, 11:28:56 am »
Without the cap I believe 1" tubing will fit snug in the opening as well
Peace....Love......Beer......

The Commune Brewing Company-Perfecting the craft of beer since 2010

Offline erockrph

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Re: 6 gallon better bottle fermentation capacity
« Reply #11 on: September 10, 2014, 01:27:28 pm »
Without the cap I believe 1" tubing will fit snug in the opening as well
For a regular carboy, yes, but not for a BB. They have an extra wide (1.75 in) opening, which is much larger than a standard glass carboy.
Eric B.

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Offline duboman

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Re: 6 gallon better bottle fermentation capacity
« Reply #12 on: September 10, 2014, 02:28:22 pm »
Without the cap I believe 1" tubing will fit snug in the opening as well
For a regular carboy, yes, but not for a BB. They have an extra wide (1.75 in) opening, which is much larger than a standard glass carboy.
Thanks, it's been awhile since I used a carboy:)
Peace....Love......Beer......

The Commune Brewing Company-Perfecting the craft of beer since 2010