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Does size matter?

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M

Mead_Monster

NewBee
Registered Member
Mar 13, 2013
28
0
1
Colorado Springs, CO
Howdy Ladies and Gents,

Hopefully the title got your attention. I am wanting to make 5 one gallon batches to test out different yeasts. Unfortunately I do not have any small buckets in which to do the comparisons. I do have enough 5 gallon buckets. Would a 5 gallon bucket be too large? I remember reading, somewhere, that there should not be a lot of room between the must and the top of the fermenter container. or does it really matter?

If it does not matter then I can get started this weekend. If it does then I will have to find the correct sized buckets and don't know when I will get started. Or is an open container ferment good enough?

Thanks for your help.
 
Last edited:
An open container covered with cheesecloth to keep out nasty things is OK for primary. But once you rack off the lees you'll want to keep headspace to a minimum. And a 5 gallon bucket just sounds wrong for a 1 gallon batch.
I've read that you can get small food grade buckets cheap (free) if you ask at a bakery or deli counter at the grocery store. Though I've never tried that myself.
Ideally you'd want to start with more than a gallon, say 5 quarts, and rack to a 1 gallon glass jug with an airlock. Glass jugs can be found even at Walmart, but I bought a case of 4 from an online home brew supplier.
 
Thanks Maylar for the reply. I was only going to use the buckets for the primary and have numerous "1 gallon" glass jars with appropriate lids and air locks. The problem with using the jars for the primary is that they do not allow for 1 gallon plus head space for any foam. You might be able to get a gallon of liquid in the glass containers but it will be completely full to the brim, I've measured.
So, I suppose, though I probably could have presented my question a bit more succinctly, you pretty much answered my question anyway.. Primarying a one gallon batch in a five gallon bucket is not really a big deal and head space is more critical in the secondary and subsequent rackings. Correct?

Thanks again for your reply.
 
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