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scubasteve21 · 03-16-2007, 01:20 PM

I usually rack to a secondary but this last batch has been in my primary for 10 days now. It is still worth racking to a secondary or has it been to long in my primary and not worth racking.

vtfan99 · 03-16-2007, 01:22 PM

Its always worth racking to a secondary. A secondary gives the beer more time to clear and "age". You certainly don't need to do a secondary, but its usually always worth it, IMHO.

**BierMuncher** · 03-16-2007, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vtfan99

Its always worth racking to a secondary. A secondary gives the beer more time to clear and "age". You certainly don't need to do a secondary, but its usually always worth it, IMHO.

Agreed. Even if it's only for a few days, give your beer time to "relax" off of that yeast bed.

**TheJadedDog** · 03-16-2007, 02:17 PM

My last brew sat in primary for 14 days before I racked to the secondary (where it sat for another 3 weeks); best beer I've made to date.

abracadabra · 03-16-2007, 02:42 PM

Yes by all means go to a secondary ASAP. Your beer will be better for it.

BrewDey · 03-16-2007, 04:54 PM

On this note-I was wondering how necessary it is when racking to keep the containers covered. If you're going into, or out of a carboy-there's little exposure to the air to begin with. But when using buckets, how crucial is it to keep it covered?

So far-I tried to keep the vessel covered with aluminum foil, but i wouldn't call it air tight. How vulnerable is it when going from primary->secondar or secondary->bottling bucket?

Alamo_Beer · 03-16-2007, 05:01 PM

you don't HAVE to go to secondary...do a seach on google about it.

Some people (i haven't yet but am going to start) just let the beer sit in primary for the whole 3weeks (1week primary + 2weeks secondary) or more..

I've read that it allows the yeast to "finnish up" more of the complex sugars and *stuff (wish I had better brew vocabulary..)

the worry is about autolysis but i think thats a bit of a myth i mean i know it's possible but who has actually experienced it? I think it would take a lot longer than 3 or 4 or 5 weeks for it to actually happen...

good luck with whatever you decide to do!

krispy d · 03-16-2007, 05:17 PM

Rack It!!!

**TheJadedDog** · 03-16-2007, 05:30 PM

Secondary is not necessary, but it makes for better beer. As far as keeping your bucket covered during racking/bottling, i never do and have had no problems; there should be enough CO2 in the head space to prevent any nasties.

paranode · 03-16-2007, 06:22 PM

What's the style? I might leave my hefe in the primary until it's ready to bottle since that is not inconsistent with the style. For a beer you want to clear up then yeah I'd do it.