Small batches in Primary Fermenter...

Hello,

I just joined the AHA a couple days ago and have been brewing 5 gallons batches for some time now.  A few friends of mine and I are planning to get together to make a couple 2.5 gallon portions, but my primary concern is will I run into any issues if I ferment 2.5 gallons of wort in a 6 gallon fermenter?  Would it be exposed to more oxygen over time?  Also, does the fermentation process end sooner for a 2.5 gallon batch than a 5 gallon batch would?  ???  Never did this before, so any help / advice would be appreciated.  Thanks.

You’ll have no problems with the extra head space, and if the pitching rate is the same then fermentation will take roughly the same amount of time.

Thanks for the info a10t2.  I appreciate it.  :slight_smile:

Agreed.  I’ve brewed half batches in my 6.5 gallon fermenters with no ill effects.