I'm new to home brewing and I'm getting ready to bottle my first batch. I am a little confused about the amount of air to leave at the top of the bottle. Every where I look I get a different answer. Most places say 1" to 1 1/2". Some say 3/4". My "Home Brewers Companion", says that "the magical 1" to 1 1/2" air space" is the result of commercially used, high speed, counterpressure bottling machines, and that a 1/2" is all that is needed, any more increases the risk of the explosive effect of over-carbonation. Looking for any advice I can get. Thanks

To be honest, this is not something I've ever stressed about. Using the bottling wand, I fill it to the brim and when I pull the wand out, it leaves what it leaves (usually about 1"). I've never (knocking on wood) had anything explode and usually don't have any carbonation problems. To be fair, I've only bottle conditioned about 10 batches. I keg everything now and bottle straight from the keg if I need to share.