Can you put oak in primary?

Most homebrewers use oak in a secondary, but it probably doesn't matter as long as the yeast has flocked. Really depends on how long you want the oak contact...in barrels, with spirals/cubes/ or chips

 

Most people who experience trouble have issues with oak character getting too strong, especially with lower gravity barrel aged beers. I would guess that reserving the oak for secondary allows you to better control the contact time with it. If primary is done, you can bottle as soon as it tastes "right" to your palate.

 

I put oak in the primary when I want a one month or less contact time. More than a month gets secondaried. Oak in the primary works fine. It causes more foaming during fermentation, but that is the only con I have noticed.

 

@Brew_Betty are you putting in the same amount as you would in the secondary

 

Yes, it's the only way home brewers can mimic a full primary fermentation in an oak barrel with a bucket or carboy. I've done it before with an all nelson 3726 Saison, it came out great.

 

Yes, Sir. Normally 1-2oz of cubes per 5.5 gallons.

 

I've done it with some success. I used chips, didn't expect much, and got a decent oak flavor. I can't vouch for contact surface not being impeded due to the chips falling into the trub.