Ready to bottle?

This is my first batch of beer at home. It is an Oatmeal stout. I made a lot of mistakes (but learned a lot for the next batch).

After one week in the primary, and 2 1/2 weeks in the secondary, I am reading a gravity of 1.020. I read the same thing about 1 1/2 weeks ago. Any thoughts? It is supposed to finish around 1.010, according to the recipe.

Ready to bottle? The gravity isn't changing. Did it not fully ferment? Did I pull it out of the primary too soon? There is about 3/4 of an inch of white stuff at the bottom of the secondary. It has been sitting in the primary/secondary at 70degrees.

Thanks!

Leave it in the secondary as long as you can stand it. You'll get better beer.

Looks like the gravity is stable, and you should be fine to bottle. After 3 1/2 weeks I doubt it's gonna drop any further.

You may have racked to secondary a little early, I always wait at least 10-12 days and I've reached my target FG or very close, because once you take it off the yeast cake it won't usually ferment much further. I typically only see 1/4 inch of yeast trub at the bottom of the secondary. Your beer will be fine, just keep it in mind for next time.

^ +1, but 1.020 isnt bad for an oatstout. I usually make sure mine finish no lower thatn 1.015, 1.016 is better. The recipe instructions of 1.010 seem bad to me...

Thanks for the info. I understand it's a learning experience, and I have already learned a TON from this first batch....Time to brew the next batch!