Which conical size to get?

[breyton]

I have a conical on the shopping list and am torn between the 7 gallon and 14 gallon Fermentor sizes. I brew mostly 5.5 gallon batches, so the 7 gallon seems the right fit, but difference in price between the 7 and 14 is small ($50).

So, should I buy the 14 gallon for the incremental price, even though 80% of my batches will be 5.5 gallons with the ability to brew larger batches in the future, or is the 14 too big for 5.5 batches? Will the larger fermentor cause problems with smaller batches?

I like the size of the 7 gallon, and thats what my brain is saying to get, but for a few more bucks, the 14g seems the better buy.

What does everyone think?

Thanks

[Homegrown Hops]

get the biggest one you can afford.

[The Beast]

I only wish I had the ability to be torn between which size conical to get, but until that time comes......
Just posting some thoughts I would have to (but usually don't) think through before purchasing:
-Will a 5.5 gal batch leave too much oxygen in the headspace? Could a co2 purge rectify this?
-Why do I do 5.5 gal batches now? is it because that is all the bigger I want/ need to go or is it due to lack of equipment? and with a larger fermenter, will I be more eager to fill it every brew, or leave half of it empty?
-Do I ever plan on lagering? if so, can I fit the larger, or either one, in an affordable fridge/ cooling area?
Just some of my thoughts, ultimately it is going to come down to what works best for you! Happy Brewing!

[gfoster]

Definitely get the biggest one you can afford.

When I bought my conical I didn't have any room for another fridge so I had to fork over some serious cash for one of the heated/cooled ones. I ended up buying a 7 gallon one because I was told I couldn't effectively do 5 gallon batches in the bigger ones because of the cooling and heating arrangement.

However, if you are buying a normal one without all that gizmo crap, you can do 5 gallons in the big ones, you just can't do 10 gallons in the little ones. Go big or stay home.

Eventually I plan on getting a 2nd conical, one without the cooling once I have room for another fridge. Then I'll get the biggest one I can stuff in there so I have the flexibility.

-- Gary F.

[ionia_ales]

I only wish I had the ability to be torn between which size conical to get, but until that time comes......
Just posting some thoughts I would have to (but usually don't) think through before purchasing:
-Will a 5.5 gal batch leave too much oxygen in the headspace? Could a co2 purge rectify this?
-Why do I do 5.5 gal batches now? is it because that is all the bigger I want/ need to go or is it due to lack of equipment? and with a larger fermenter, will I be more eager to fill it every brew, or leave half of it empty?
-Do I ever plan on lagering? if so, can I fit the larger, or either one, in an affordable fridge/ cooling area?
Just some of my thoughts, ultimately it is going to come down to what works best for you! Happy Brewing!

a 5 gallon batch will purge out the O2 jsut like in a carboy.-
you'll be able to make more beer for less.. as you buy in bulk
the lagering thing is an issue.

I say if you have $ and room- it's all about the 15 gal.