Your Brew Kettle is an excellent primary... You kit will make a nice
beverage if you follow directions closely.

On Sun, 05 Oct 2003 15:27:20 -0500, Dennis Montey
> wrote:

>The first batch I'm trying is an Island Mist Peach/Apricot. Due to the
>concentrate nature of the kit, will their be much must. Do these kits
>require much in the way of adjuncts or chemical adjustment beyond the
>pre-measured packets provided? Would my SS brew kettle (6 1/2 or 7
>gallon) with cover be adequate as primary vessel for this batch. Sorry
>for all of the newbie questions, just want to get off on the right
>foot. Trying the Island Mist to develop confidence for true wine batch.
>
>Negodki wrote:
>
>>"Dennis Montey" > wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>>Ready to start my firstbatch (5 gallons) of wine from concentrate kit.
>>>I was told by the homebrew shop owner that I could use a carboy instead
>>>of the bucket for primary. Have considered using two 2.5 gallon
>>>carboys for lighter lifting to agitate. Eager to hear experienced
>>>voices on this subject.
>>>
>>>
>>
>>Yes, you CAN use a carboy instead of a bucket for a primary, but... your
>>ferment is more likely to foam over (resulting in a mess and loss of
>>precious wine) in a carboy. Even in a bucket, you need 30-40% headroom, and
>>even then some musts will foam over a bit. If you ferment in a carboy, you
>>need some sort of device to capture (and recycle the overflow), and I'm sure
>>your homebrew shop owner will be happy to sell you one. Also, if you need to
>>stir the must, or you intend to sugar feed (in which case you must stir),
>>it's a lot easier to do in a primary than a (narrow-necked) carboy.
>>
>>Similarly, since one needs to test SG and acid, and possibly add sugar and
>>other stuff, and stir it well, during the ferment, the less containers you
>>have the better.
>>
>>You can purchase a 5-gallon WHITE plastic paint bucket at Home Depot or
>>Walmart for about $2, and a lid for another $1. The only advantage of the
>>"primaries" sold in the homebrew shop is they may have an embossed volume
>>gauge (often inaccurate), and a pretty picture on the sides, or perhaps even
>>big letters to tell you it's a primary.
>>
>>If you want to make a 5-gallon batch, you are going to need a 7-8 gallon
>>carboy, to allow enough headroom for the initial yeast explosion and foaming
>>that goes with it. Check Home Depot for Rubbermaid BRUTE containers which
>>are white, yellow, or gray. [The other containers, and the cheaper
>>Rubbermaid and store brand containers are not food-grade plastic.] If you
>>can't find them their, look for a DISCOUNT restaurant supply.
>>
>>Standard carboy sizes are 2.8, 3, and 5-gallons. I've never seen a 2.5
>>(although I wish I could find one). Glass is pretty heavy. A 5-gallon carboy
>>weighs about 10 pounds, a 2.8 weighs about 8, and a plastic bucket weighs
>>about 2. Water weighs 8.33 pounds per gallon, so your carboy weighs as much
>>as a gallon of water.
>>
>>
>>
>>