23 liter carboy primary fermentation

[Vorsicht709]

Just wondering if a 23 liter carboy is big enough for a primary fermentation. The LHBS says 23 liters is 6.5 gallons, but I dont think that is right.

 

[-TPM-]

23 Liters is just over 6 gallons, so yes you could. 6.5 would give you a bit more head space though...

 

[WorryWort]

I use a 23 litre carboy for primary, there's not tonnes of headspace, but I use a blow off tube and it's fine.

 

[jma99]

I feel like the high priest of fermcap.......

I use 6 gal better bottles for my primary.
I add about 10 drops of fermcap and I never need a blowoff.
And I typically ferment 5.5 gals!

It's also great in the boil. I boil 13 gal in a 15 gal pot, add about 20 drops, and never have a boil-over.

 

[Keff]

The head space wont effect the fermentation will it? I am doing a 5 gallon apfelwein and it didnt seem like it was doing anything for 2 days in a 6 gallon better bottle. I am also giving a 6 gallon better bottle to my friend for christmas for his wine making, all that head space wont mess with that will it?

 

[Newbeerguy]

I ferment my Apfelwein in a 5 gallon carboy....the wine yeast doesn't have a big krausen like beer yeast, only a small ring of bubbles.