Drscott266
Member
I have my first batch ever bottled, and my second batch has just been put in the fermenter last night, but I have a question regarding what type of primary is best. So far I have been using a 6.5 gal carboy, which means once the cooled wort goes in, I have to add more water to reach 5 gal. My question is what is the best way to mix the wort and top off water when the opening is only 2 inches? I have have noticed low OG readings from my batch last night, even though i tried really hard to rock the carboy after being topped off. I think that a pail would be easiest, as I could stir things thoroughly before taking a reading. Also, when the dry yeast is added in, its impossible to really stir it, so all i can do once again is rock the carboy to hopefully mix it in.
Am I doing this wrong with the carboy rocking, as my OG was supposed to be 1.045 for a Brewer's Best Red Ale, but my OG was about 1.035 corrected. All ingredients were added, and i boiled for the full hour. It seems to be that a pail would allow me to more vigorously stir the wort and water, as well as the yeast before closing the lid. Is there any disadvantage to a pail over a carboy?
Also, I have been boiling in a 16 quart pot, which boils down to about 13 quarts by the end of everything. When that ends up in the carboy it looks to be less than half filled, so I have to top off with alot of water... is that causing too much dilution in the wort? Recipe calls for only 2 gallons of wort, with top off of 3 gallons, but that just doesnt seem to make sense to me.
sorry for hte long post, any help is appreciated!
Am I doing this wrong with the carboy rocking, as my OG was supposed to be 1.045 for a Brewer's Best Red Ale, but my OG was about 1.035 corrected. All ingredients were added, and i boiled for the full hour. It seems to be that a pail would allow me to more vigorously stir the wort and water, as well as the yeast before closing the lid. Is there any disadvantage to a pail over a carboy?
Also, I have been boiling in a 16 quart pot, which boils down to about 13 quarts by the end of everything. When that ends up in the carboy it looks to be less than half filled, so I have to top off with alot of water... is that causing too much dilution in the wort? Recipe calls for only 2 gallons of wort, with top off of 3 gallons, but that just doesnt seem to make sense to me.
sorry for hte long post, any help is appreciated!