5 liter batches

[RandyG]

Hey Gang, got a question for you Mr. Beer fermenter (LBK) users. I'm going to brew up some 5 liter batches for some mini-kegs,and was wondering if I could use the LBK's for that small a batch,or would it have too much headspace and not ferment correctly? A mini-keg should hold 1.32 gal.and the LBK for Mr. Beer is 2 gallon,right,so do you think it will work? Any thoughts .TIA.

[John Sand]

You'll be fine. Head space is not an issue except in extended aging. CO2 will cover your beer. Plenty of people make small batches in big fermenters. I generally use a 5gal carboy for 2-3 gallon test batches.

[RickBeer]

Mr. Beer batches are 2.13 gallons, but the fermenter can actually hold closer to 2.7 I believe. I put 2.5 gallons in it all the time.

[HerbMeowing]

True the MrB fermentor is rated for 2.125G batch sizes; however ... you can fill it to the bottom of the second stave and squeeze in 2.45G (9L) of wort.

Some worts will splooge (like my current Galaxy SMaSH fermentation) during Hi-K resulting in a little loss of volume so leave the cap loose and use a catch pan for easy clean-up.

One work-around is filling the LBK to the 8L mark ... then add more wort the day after Hi-K.

[Dawg LB Steve]

You're good, I do 5.5 g batches in 8 g buckets. As long as your are in primary head space is not really an issue and unless aging a beer on some kind of flavoring, oak, fruit, vanilla, etc, racking to a secondary is really not necessary. Secondary is where the least amount of head space is needed.