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Author Topic: Fermentation Head Space  (Read 11150 times)

Offline srnoel

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Fermentation Head Space
« on: February 28, 2011, 08:39:19 pm »
Is it possible to have to much headspace during primary fermentation?  I am going to do some experiment all grain test batches like 2-2.5 gallons or so.  Except the smallest carboy I have is 5gal. and I don't want to go out and buy another.  So would 2.5gal. of headspace cause possible problems with say oxygenation?  It seems very unlikely to me, I just don't want to brew a whole batch only for it to go bad from such a silly thing like this.

Offline morticaixavier

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Re: Fermentation Head Space
« Reply #1 on: February 28, 2011, 09:47:27 pm »
Is it possible to have to much headspace during primary fermentation?  I am going to do some experiment all grain test batches like 2-2.5 gallons or so.  Except the smallest carboy I have is 5gal. and I don't want to go out and buy another.  So would 2.5gal. of headspace cause possible problems with say oxygenation?  It seems very unlikely to me, I just don't want to brew a whole batch only for it to go bad from such a silly thing like this.

don't worry. it will be fine. there is more than enough CO2 generated to fill and purge 2.5 gallons of headspace. enjoy the test batches. I have been thinking I should do more of those but it is just as easy to go ahead and do 5 gallons...
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Offline srnoel

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Re: Fermentation Head Space
« Reply #2 on: February 28, 2011, 10:17:17 pm »
Yes, it is easy to just do the full 5 gal.  I just don't want 5 gallons of beer that doesn't taste good.  I'd much rather experiment with smaller batches so then if they go wrong it's less ingredients lost.  If it goes good I can just as easily brew it again as a bigger batch.  I didn't think the headspace was a problem I just want to for sure eliminate that as a factor to the finished beer when tasting test batches.

Offline euge

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Re: Fermentation Head Space
« Reply #3 on: February 28, 2011, 11:18:16 pm »
It's OK. No oxidation worries.

I'm doing 2.8 gallons in an 8 gallon bucket right now. Decided I'm not doing any more 6 and 12 gallon test batches. :P Was thinking of something smaller myself but can't be bothered to get yet another fermenter.
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Offline tschmidlin

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Re: Fermentation Head Space
« Reply #4 on: March 01, 2011, 12:12:44 am »
I do some 1-gallon batches on occasion, glass gallon jugs can be had for $6 full of juice :)  A 2 gallon cooler, braided hose, you know the drill.  Easy and fast.  Especially since i have a 1 gallon corny ;D
Tom Schmidlin

Offline bluesman

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Re: Fermentation Head Space
« Reply #5 on: March 01, 2011, 05:30:20 am »
I do some 1-gallon batches on occasion, glass gallon jugs can be had for $6 full of juice :)  A 2 gallon cooler, braided hose, you know the drill.  Easy and fast.  Especially since i have a 1 gallon corny ;D

+1

There are quite a few homebrewers on the forum that make one to two gallon batches routinely. I make my lager starters in 3 gallon carboys with no problem. There is a significant amount of CO2 generated during the fermentation that will consume the headspace fairly quick.

So crush and mash with a smile.  8)
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Offline smahler

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Re: Fermentation Head Space
« Reply #6 on: March 06, 2011, 12:29:34 pm »
I've fermented in the 2.5 gallon water jugs before.  you just need to pop the spigot off and it works great.$2.50 for the water and you've got a pre-sanitized disposible fermenter after you drink the water.

Offline mthogan1997

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Re: Fermentation Head Space
« Reply #7 on: March 06, 2011, 01:17:56 pm »
I routinely do open fermentations in my buckets and my basement is roughly 124,363.636 gallons. No way is my fermentation producing enough CO2 to purge that space so I think your 2.5 gallons of head space is ok.

Offline a10t2

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Re: Fermentation Head Space
« Reply #8 on: March 06, 2011, 01:52:26 pm »
there is more than enough CO2 generated to fill and purge 2.5 gallons of headspace.

And then some. Every gallon of beer fermented will kick out about 20 gallons of CO2.
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