Fermenter / Batch Fermentation

Question: Homebrew fermenter / fermenator size?

(Posted by: David G on 2008-02-10 16:25:20)

I have an opportunity to get a 14.5 gallon fermenator very cheap, but I'm not sure if it's too big. Right now I only do 5- 6 gallon batches but intend to move to 10 gallon batches within a year. Will the 14.5 be too big for me right now? Will there be too much headspace until I make the move to 10 gallon batches?

Posted by: Mitchell Winery on 2008-02-10, 16:37:10

For primary fermentation, it shouldn't pose too much of a problem due to the amount of CO2 being released. But I would be very careful leaving that much headspace during secondary or lagering.

Posted by: Jimmie Frisbee on 2008-02-10, 16:39:38

If you're already making 5-6 gallon batches, I'd just continue to use whatever fermenter you're using now for those smaller batches, and then use the bigger one for the 10 gallon batches. If you can get it cheap, you might not want to let that opportunity pass, right?

Posted by: lapslideman on 2008-02-10, 17:06:26

Go for it...the headspace should not be a problem if you keep everything sterile. Most of my fermenters have extra headspeace to keep them from blasting over onto the floor...and I think I make decent stuff and so do my friends. If doing a secondary...just be sure that you have a little life left in your yeast and you'll be ok. Think about it...bottle have head space so it's ok for a fermenter to as well.

Posted by: Trid on 2008-02-10, 18:48:52

I would definitely get it. What you can do is use it to make a double batch of a typical 5 gallon recipe. As mentioned before, the headspace isn't crucial during primary because of the vigorous CO2 production. When you're ready to rack (or decant...assuming it's a conical), you can simply use two 5 gallon carboys. Being able to rack from a large primary to multiple secondaries actually increases your efficiency because there's only one yeast cake to rack off of.