paradoc

Recipes 

Greetings,

I've read all the "primary vs secondary" threads I could find. I'd be happy to just leave my beer in the primary fermentor for +/- 3 weeks, but I need my carboy for the next batch. I do have a keg system. My most recent batch (a smoked porter) has been in the primary for about 10 days at 64 deg. I'm still seeing some bubbling from the airlock, and a little bubbling at top of beer, but the krausen has fallen. Haven't bothered checking gravity yet, because I'm planning to let it ferment/condition for at least another couple of weeks before serving. So the questions are:

Can I just rack it to the keg, and leave it at room temp for another week or two before serving (using the keg as a "secondary")?

Do you purge the headspace in the keg with CO2 if you do this?

Do you pressurize the keg if you do this?

Any issues with incomplete/stalled fermentation if you put it into a keg (that doesn't have an airlock) instead of a carboy with an airlock (ie will it finish fermenting if pressure builds up in the keg)?

Cheers!

Parker36

Recipes 

1) Yes you can use a keg as a secondary vessel
2) Yes, it is best to purge the headspace with CO2, although it is not strictly necessary
3) No, do not pressurize until fermentation is done (and be sure to release pressure every once in a while until then)

Your first few cups will have lots of trub, but after that you should be good.

Neunelfer

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Subscribed for more information.

Arkador

Recipes 

one of my friends does it this way. he stops by the keg each morning and evening and gives the release valve a quick pull to bleed off any pressure that has built up. If you really wanted, you can even remove the pressure releaf valve, and stick an airlock in that hole until you are ready to force carb it.

I may have to try this once! Talk about a space saver! I would have an empty carboy alot more often, but SWMBO would give me a dirty look because i want more kegs!

LooyvilleLarry

Recipes 

Check out Keg Pasties.