Next up is NB’s Black IPA kit. I have several buckets and a 5 gal glass carboy. I’d like to skip the secondary, which from what I gather on the forum is okay.
Question is - do you think I can use the 5 gallon glass carboy with a 1 inch diameter blow off tube as a primary? Will that give me enough head space. 5 gal batch. Plan on using the Wyeast that is recommend for the kit.
Or, should I use the 6.5 gal bucket? If I use the bucket as a primary, is it okay to leave the brew in the bucket for 3+ weeks?
I’d use the bucket. That beer is higher gravity and very well may blow off in a 6 gallon carboy. In a 5 gallon it definitely will. Save the 5 gallon carboy for a secondary for something… or maybe a 4 gallon batch of something.
And yes, you can keep beer in buckets for 3 weeks and longer. My primaries routinely sit for 3-4weeks. Sometimes longer if I’m busy. Weeks isn’t an issue. Months is.
Just racked my NB Black IPA into secondary. Boy was I glad my instincts told me to use a blow off tube right from the start. That beer can be a monster, I suggest you head this warning! Use the bucket and thick blow off tube my friend, ya can’t go wrong with that.
