Ok, so I'm still fairly new. I got a kit for Christmas, and have done about 6 batches so far. With every batch, I've had had carbonation issues. I've tried tweaking as many variables as I can think of, but each batch comes out seriously under-carbonated. I'll try and provide as much info about my technique as I can.
When I say "under-carbonated," I mean any evidence of carbonation is virtually gone within 2 minutes of the pour. Initially, a few bubbles collect on the sides of the glass, but they soon dissipate. None can be seen rising from within the glass. No head forms whatsoever.
I always use 2/3c corn sugar to prime. I add it to my bottling bucket, stir it, and let it sit for an hour or so (so everything can settle again) before bottling. Then I let them condition for 2+ weeks (up to two months) at 68-72 degrees. Two months is hardly more carbonated than two weeks.
As far as style, it's varied some, but they've all been light-medium colored ales with OGs at 1.050 +/-0.005. I've mostly done pale ales, although I did one English bitter and a Belgian Wit.
I thought that perhaps my issue was my bottles. I had been using the plastic bottles with screw-tops that came with the kit (cos it said they were reusable). I finally got fed up and bought a capper. This was my first batch using it. It's only been priming for 2 weeks, but the results so far are nearly identical to my previous batches. (And, I'm positive that I got a good seal on them).
As far as fermenting times, I've let them all go for 10-14 days in my primary. I just recently got a secondary, so this last batch, I let sit in the secondary for about two months.
With the exception of batch #1, every single batch has turned out this way, and I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. Any help would be greatly appreciated. The flavor is great, but I don't feel I can fully brag to my friends about my beer until this is corrected.
When I say "under-carbonated," I mean any evidence of carbonation is virtually gone within 2 minutes of the pour. Initially, a few bubbles collect on the sides of the glass, but they soon dissipate. None can be seen rising from within the glass. No head forms whatsoever.
I always use 2/3c corn sugar to prime. I add it to my bottling bucket, stir it, and let it sit for an hour or so (so everything can settle again) before bottling. Then I let them condition for 2+ weeks (up to two months) at 68-72 degrees. Two months is hardly more carbonated than two weeks.
As far as style, it's varied some, but they've all been light-medium colored ales with OGs at 1.050 +/-0.005. I've mostly done pale ales, although I did one English bitter and a Belgian Wit.
I thought that perhaps my issue was my bottles. I had been using the plastic bottles with screw-tops that came with the kit (cos it said they were reusable). I finally got fed up and bought a capper. This was my first batch using it. It's only been priming for 2 weeks, but the results so far are nearly identical to my previous batches. (And, I'm positive that I got a good seal on them).
As far as fermenting times, I've let them all go for 10-14 days in my primary. I just recently got a secondary, so this last batch, I let sit in the secondary for about two months.
With the exception of batch #1, every single batch has turned out this way, and I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. Any help would be greatly appreciated. The flavor is great, but I don't feel I can fully brag to my friends about my beer until this is corrected.