Primary in a carboy?

[x_diver]

I just ordered some juice from homewinery.com and the instructions say to put the juice in a carboy with water and then add yeast - and then add airlock. I have always done my primary fermentation in a bucket because I have read here that yeast needs lots of oxygen to multiply. In addition, I have already had my first experience with "foam up" when I put my wine into secondary in a carboy too soon so I'm a little gun shy here. I see a lot of people here have bought juice from this company so I want to confirm. Thoughts?

 

[Pumpkinman]

It can be fermented in a carboy, but..I would prefer to put it in a fermenter with a lid and airlock

 

[spaniel]

Years back I never trusted running primaries with any air exposure; I'd put the lid on tight with an airlock. I made well north of 500 gallons of wine that way and never had an issue.

Now, I do use a loose cover for primaries and also have had no issues.

I do make white wines in carboys right from the start. I think that is standard. I've had one batch not want to start but a second addition of yeast got it working.

So basically, I have done it "right" and "wrong" and every which way I did it worked fine.

 

[dralarms]

I make all my "home winery stuff" in a carboy. Under airlock with no problems. Just don't use rc212 yeast. That will cause the h2s problem ( rotten egg smell).

 

[vacuumpumpman]

I have used both open containers as well as carboys - no problem either way

 

[Julie]

Put it in your primary, like you said you have already experienced a foam, don't take the chance and experience it again. I buy concentrates from home winery and I do not follow their directions. Get the juice add enough water and sugar to get you to the 5 g mark and an sg around 1.080, check the acid and adjust, add pectic enzyme and nutrient, wait 12 hours, add kmeta, wait another 12 hours add the yeast.

 

[x_diver]

Thanks everyone. I sincerely appreciate all of your input. I love my new hobby. I only wish that I could win the lottery so I can retire and do it full time.

 

[DoctorCAD]

The homewinery.com juices will require either:

A. A blow off tube
B. Lots of rags and sponges and cleaning solutions and earplugs so you can't hear the wife yelling for ruining her new floor

Don't ask how I know!!!