tacks
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2012
- Messages
- 291
- Reaction score
- 30
Hello all, I'm hoping that some of the more experienced brewers can help me out with my first brew because I am somewhat confused about the timeline and equipment that will be used for fermentation. Like many on the forum here, I got a homebrew kit for Christmas and a pre-formulated beer kit (Brewer's Best English Brown Ale). I have done my research and read 3 books on the subject but I've heard different things from these sources. In the kit, there was a 5 gallon better bottle, 6.5 gallon bucket (fermenter) complete with airlock, and of course the bottling bucket and assorted goodies. Here's my confusion: I have read that primary fermentation should be done in both the better bottle, and I've also read that it should be done in the bucket fermenter. I've also read that I should use just the given airlock, or that I should use blowoff tubing. I'm aware that this choice has to do with headspace in the fermenter, so I am assuming that the correct order in which to ferment my first brew would be (after the boil of course) - bucket fermenter with the given airlock, then after approximately 5-7 days, transfer to the better bottle since the most active period of fermentation will have already occurred and headspace is not much of an issue; then wait until primary has finished before transferring to bottling bucket and priming before bottling? I have a feeling that I'm overthinking this process, but am not sure that I have things right and want to know exactly what I'm doing before brewing on Monday. Please correct me if this is wrong, any and all input will be appreciated. Thanks in advance and I'm glad to have joined the forum!