I'm an idiot.

[Banjo-guy]

I just realized that I can't ferment 5 gallons in my Home Depot 5 gallon bucket. Duh!
Can I get away with 4 gallons or should I keep it to 3.00-3.5 gallons into fermenter ?

.

[Beerlabelman]

Ferment in 2 buckets. Split the load. Waste not want not.

[Beer-lord]

I bet I could out idiot you if I had time and space to tell you more about me.
But, have any LBKs laying around?

[Inkleg]

Boy, if I had a dime for every time I've said that.

It depends on what your brewing, OG, yeast, and so on. I've filled a bucket to within 2 inches of the lid. Put on a blow off tube and hoped for the best. But I'd say at least 3 inches of head space for the norm.

[Inkleg]

Not about Paul, I see he posted too. I mean me........though, Paul.........well.......

[Banjo-guy]

I bet I could out idiot you if I had time and space to tell you more about me.
But, have any LBKs laying around?

I've got a free LBK. I should split off a couple of gallons into the LBK.
I'll have to go back to the frozen water bottles for that batch.

[berryman]

What Inkleg said is right. It all depends on what you got fermenting. 5 in a 5 can do just fine or it can have a big blow-out. I do all my 5 gal brews in a 6.5, I like headspace.

[haerbob3]

one word FERMCAP you could do 4.5 gal easy in that bucket

[mashani]

Assuming you keep using the 5 - pay attention when yeasts are described as "true top cropping strain". Be very conservative with those. 4 gallons with those is still pushing your luck. In the right conditions those yeast could blow off a good bit with as little as 3 1/2 gallons of wort in a true 5 gallon container.

[Banjo-guy]

I'm using Wyeast 1272. I'll use two fermenters. It looks like if I brew 3.5 in the future gallon batches I'll be in the safe zone for almost every brew.

[zorak1066]

I frequently use 2 five gallon buckets and split the batch evenly. I measure out half the wort into each, then add cool water to bring each to 2.5 gallons. ive got lids with gaskets that I drilled a hole in the tops to accommodate a gromet and an a plastic elbow with a lock nut. I run a hose from the elbow to a blow off bottle and put both buckets in my chiller box.

I like doing the 5 gallon batches this way because 20 lbs of beer is easier to lift than 40 lbs. I have multiple hernia repairs so I have to be super careful. doing it like this also allows me to experiment with yeasts. I can have identical wort and use a different yeast in each to see how it impacts things. note to self though..must remember that buckets are not airtight and absence of airlock activity is not a cause for alarm....

[haerbob3]

...........must remember that buckets are not airtight and absence of airlock activity is not a cause for alarm.............

me too!!

[Banjo-guy]

Can you buy those grommets in a hardware store or are they only at brew stores?

[haerbob3]

hardware a lot cheaper too