5-gal fermenter for 3-Gal batch size?

General Homebrew Discussion
1

I’ve run into a couple of recipes I’d like to try in a smaller batch size than 5-gal.  Does a 5-gal fermenter offer too much head space to use as primary for a 3-gal batch of beer?  OG would be less than 1.065.

Thanks in advance for your help.

2

Sounds like a good fit to me.

3

+1.  I do 5.5 gallon beers in 8 gallon buckets. No worries.

4

I do it all the time. No problem.

5

Yep, no worries.

6

I’ve wondered if this would be an issue as well, more headspace and all.  Thanks for the replies.

7

I also do this all the time. I have a couple of 3 gallon carboys I use for long term aging.

8

Same here. I brew 2.5-3 gallon batches. My sours primary in a 5 gallon better bottle and condition in a 3-gallon one. My clean beers ferment in buckets ranging from 4.5-6.5 gallons, then go into 2.5-gallon kegs.