Newbie Question
Moderator: slothrob
Newbie Question
Hello, I just got my first beer kit (ingredients) in the mail and the directions call for a 7 gallon fermenter. I have two 5 gallon glass Carboys, which I was told was what I needed, by a friend. Do I need to go buy a 7 gallon plastic fermenter, or can I alter the recipe or something. Thanks, I'm ready to get started. The kit I have is for altbier and has munton ingredients.
I would opt for the plastic
I would opt for the plastic pail if I were you.
Get one with a spigot, and you can use it for your priming/bottling bucket.
In a 5 gallon carboy, you should only make 3 to 3.5 gallons of beer, to leave room for the fermentation. Then you would still need the bottling bucket. Get a plastic pail primary, that you can use as a bottling bucket. Did you get all of the other needed tools: Hydrometer, capper, hoses, bottle filler, racking cane, etc. That is one nice thing about a brewing kit, it sets you up with all the little things, and most have a beginner's brewing book with it.
Get one with a spigot, and you can use it for your priming/bottling bucket.
In a 5 gallon carboy, you should only make 3 to 3.5 gallons of beer, to leave room for the fermentation. Then you would still need the bottling bucket. Get a plastic pail primary, that you can use as a bottling bucket. Did you get all of the other needed tools: Hydrometer, capper, hoses, bottle filler, racking cane, etc. That is one nice thing about a brewing kit, it sets you up with all the little things, and most have a beginner's brewing book with it.
Yes
Thanks for your reply. I do have all of the tools you described. Are all plastic buckets created equal? I read to get food grade plastic, but what exactly is that? I was hoping that I didn't have to use a plastic bucket because I like to watch the fermentation at work (more fun than watching a fish tank) but if that's what I need to do, then I will do it. Thanks for the help again.
beer vs wine
Beer is different than wine in the aspect of hops, do not do well with light. The Skunky smell from a clear or green bottle, comes from UV light contacting hop oils, and thus creating the almost identical compound that a skunk shoots when mad. I know this helps clear bottle sale soar right!
Anyway, your local brewshop or mail order place should have primary ferment buckets and have them cheap. I think I spent around 8 bucks for one a couple months ago. like I said earlier, get one with a spigot, so you can primary ferment, and bottle with it. The glass carboys will be great for the secondary fermenting.
Anyway, your local brewshop or mail order place should have primary ferment buckets and have them cheap. I think I spent around 8 bucks for one a couple months ago. like I said earlier, get one with a spigot, so you can primary ferment, and bottle with it. The glass carboys will be great for the secondary fermenting.
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- Light Lager
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Sat Jun 12, 2004 8:39 pm
Glass Primary
You can also get a 6 1/2 gallon carboy for you primary. I love to watch the fermentation process as well and I always want to make sure that things are starting up properly. I also feel a little safer with glass as it's easier to sanitize and lasts longer. Just keep it out of the light.
- herocomplex
- herocomplex
With a 5 gal. carboy, you usually want to concern yourself with blowoff by connection a blow-off tube. This gets rid of fusel alcohols and other hop related comounds that I understand are what can/do cause a beer headache and off flavors. All things considered, you might have very little blowoff or a lot. After the fermentation has settled, attach an airlock.
With a 6.5 gal. carboy, an airlock is fine because there isn't much worry of blowoff unless you are doing a higher gravity brew. However, all of those aforementioned nasties will stay in your beer-which is okay.
SO, you can do a full batch in a 5 gal. carboy - you just need to prepare for blowoff!!!
With a 6.5 gal. carboy, an airlock is fine because there isn't much worry of blowoff unless you are doing a higher gravity brew. However, all of those aforementioned nasties will stay in your beer-which is okay.
SO, you can do a full batch in a 5 gal. carboy - you just need to prepare for blowoff!!!
Cheers,
Jeremy
"To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,"
Hold a beer in the palm of your hand
And be glad it's happy hour.
Adapted from W. Blake "Auguries of Innocence"
Jeremy
"To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,"
Hold a beer in the palm of your hand
And be glad it's happy hour.
Adapted from W. Blake "Auguries of Innocence"