Can I use a 6.5 gallon carboy?

[nwine]

Hey everyone,

I'm making a Winexpert kit for a 6 gallon batch. It's in a bucket with a lid and I need to move it very soon (it's already been in there for 9 days) into secondary according to the instructions.

But they say I need to use a 6 gallon carboy. All I have is a 6.5 size. Is this okay or do I need to buy a 6 gallon exactly???

 

[vacuumpumpman]

Try and put it all in the 6.5 gallon carboy and see how much empty headspace you have.

You have a couple of different options - top off with a similar wine
add stuff in the carboy to displace the volume of wine - marbles, etc

or there's a headspace eliminator which a standard hand vacuum pump can help if you do not have a vacuum pump. Here is a review of the product I am referring to
http://www.winemakingtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=50011

I would definitely would be shopping for a 6 gallon carboy as you will need one down the road.

 

[richmke]

What kit are you making? Does it have an F-Pack? The F-pack will add volume and take up a lot of the excess headspace.

 

[brewbush]

Also, check the gravity. If it is still above 1.000 it will still ferment and produce CO2. This will help protect the wine. At this point it will only be in the 6.5 gallon carboy for a couple more weeks before you have to proceed to the next step and IMO will be fine.