I'm splitting a 5 gallon extract mix for some experimentation--and I only have a basic set up of two plastic 5 gal buckets, and one glass carboy. I was going to put the half batch of whatever needs to secondary ferment longest in the glass carboy.
I guess my two main questions are is it cool to ferment a 2 1/2 gallon batch in a 5 gallon fermenter? And, which of these two batches will need longer to SECONDARY ferment--Oatmeal Stout or a Vanilla Cream Oatmeal Stout (second one I'm going to add some lactose and vanilla beans, no other differences)? I can probably answer the second question for myself....the vanilla one should take longer, to let those flavors soak in...right?
I guess my two main questions are is it cool to ferment a 2 1/2 gallon batch in a 5 gallon fermenter? And, which of these two batches will need longer to SECONDARY ferment--Oatmeal Stout or a Vanilla Cream Oatmeal Stout (second one I'm going to add some lactose and vanilla beans, no other differences)? I can probably answer the second question for myself....the vanilla one should take longer, to let those flavors soak in...right?