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**KISS Brew** · 07-28-2012, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Misplaced_Canuck

It's simple: Try the same recipe with a secondary, and without. See which one you think works best.

I do secondaries as a matter of habit and because it works for me.

My usual schedule (for ales) is 2 weeks primary, 2 (or more) weeks secondary. I've done some secondary-less batches with a 3 week primary and it worked just fine too.

MC

I like this answer the best. I've decided on no primary for me by trying both methods and being perfectly happy with both beers. I decided a secondary was unnecessary, but do what works best for you!

avidhomebrewer · 07-29-2012, 02:26 AM

I haven't racked a beer to secondary in probably 3 or 4 years, and I brew 2x5 gallon batches each month. I really don't see a reason to rack beer to secondary any longer for a normal batch. Now, if you are making a fruit beer, like a lambic, then definitely rack.

**Markd27** · 08-01-2012, 03:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue_Monkey

I never do secondary but wonder why most kit instructions call for it. If the trend is to leave the beer in the primary for a little longer prior to bottling/kegging, why haven't the kit makers followed this trend ?

ETA: I get most of my kits from Austin HomeBrew.

Most of the companies that sell the kits also sell secondary fermenters. Take that for what it's worth.

ceannt · 08-08-2012, 12:41 PM

Friends don't let friends rack to secondary .....

BrewMeABrew · 08-08-2012, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avidhomebrewer

I haven't racked a beer to secondary in probably 3 or 4 years, and I brew 2x5 gallon batches each month. I really don't see a reason to rack beer to secondary any longer for a normal batch. Now, if you are making a fruit beer, like a lambic, then definitely rack.

Let me add beers with extra material in the boil that is not stained out, like a pumpkin ale. Secondary is helpful here as well to let things clear without leaving bottles half full of pumpkin. I racked off p primary and left behind a little more than a gallon due to a large amount of pumpkin in the boil.

ColumbusAmongus · 08-08-2012, 09:42 PM

I stopped doing secondaries a long time ago and pretty much just go 3 weeks in the primary. I don't care about clarity (even though my brews are clear) because I am not a pro brewer but I do care about quality and freshness and I feel like the average home brewer doesn't have the proper equipment to transfer beer from container to container without oxidizing it. I leave my beer in the primary pretty to avoid extra work but to mainly reduce oxidation post fermentation.

zmad2000 · 08-09-2012, 03:35 PM

I do secondaries sometimes. It depends on a few different things: type of beer, empty kegs, or if i want to brew another beer. Since i only have one primary fermentor and 3 glass 2ndry's i do it out of necessity.

FuzzeWuzze · 08-09-2012, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ColumbusAmongus

I stopped doing secondaries a long time ago and pretty much just go 3 weeks in the primary. I don't care about clarity (even though my brews are clear) because I am not a pro brewer but I do care about quality and freshness and I feel like the average home brewer doesn't have the proper equipment to transfer beer from container to container without oxidizing it. I leave my beer in the primary pretty to avoid extra work but to mainly reduce oxidation post fermentation.

Because an auto siphon is too much work? Granted im not saying your wrong about leaving in the primary, but the transferring and oxidizing scare doesnt seem warranted.

duckmanco · 08-11-2012, 12:44 AM

No, no its not worth it.

**govner1** · 08-11-2012, 01:06 AM

Absolutely worth it but it requires patience!
Some don't have it but it not only clarifies your beers, i.e., Brite Tank, but let's your yeast finish its job.