Ferment in a corny?

[fulkrum78]

I've seen people in various places mention they ferment in a corny keg. I'm a bit intrigued by the idea since the benefits (racking out with co2, no light, sealed) seem pretty obvious.

A few questions though... I'm assuming you've trimmed your dip tube down? How do you handle blow-off? Is cleanup a bitch? how much wort can you get in there, and what is your yield like (ie losses)?

Any other thoughts on the subject are welcome as well...

Thanks!

[EagleDude]

I have only fermented in a Sankey keg and that works really well. With a corny, I would be a bit concerned with the height to width ratio and resulting hydrostatic pressure on the yeast ... if you don't get any good answers here, this would be a good Brew Strong Q&A question.

[Henning1966]

I ferment in cornys but I am fermenting in 10 gallon ones so its a diffrent animal.

[fulkrum78]

I ferment in cornys but I am fermenting in 10 gallon ones so its a diffrent animal.

Nifty! Where do you find those mythical beasties?

[bikefoolery]

I tried fermenting in 5 gallon cornies for 3 batches. I found 2-3 points lower attenuation than when I used a 6.5 glass carboy side by side in a fermentation chamber. Like finishing gravities of 1.015 in the keg and 1.012 in the carboy. Recipes were a pale ale and two belgian singles. I shake for aeration so that make have been a factor.

I used foam control drops in both. I found that 5 gallons would fit in a corny. There's a little head space. I had overflow going to a flask.

Please don't let me discourage you, but run your own trials if possible.

The fool

[fulkrum78]

I wanted to hear the pros and cons, and you guys are giving em to me - nothing to apologize for!

I tried fermenting in 5 gallon cornies for 3 batches. I found 2-3 points lower attenuation than when I used a 6.5 glass carboy side by side in a fermentation chamber. Like finishing gravities of 1.015 in the keg and 1.012 in the carboy. Recipes were a pale ale and two belgian singles. I shake for aeration so that make have been a factor.

I used foam control drops in both. I found that 5 gallons would fit in a corny. There's a little head space. I had overflow going to a flask.

Please don't let me discourage you, but run your own trials if possible.

The fool