So I just did my first batch of beer which leads to my first post, a coopers IPA kit, using the equipment I was lent from a neighbour. Since there are so many opinions/option on how to ferment, etc thought I would jump right in with what I had available and see how it works.
So I mixed it up in the bucket, added dry malt (sanitized everything) got it to about 22-23 degrees and added the yeast, stirred it in a bit.
since I have a glass carboy I figured I'd use that to ferment and syphoned into that right away, put on the airlock/cap, covered with a blanket and now its sitting in my kitchen which is usually around 18 degrees.
So now for the questions, the first one being that how can I get a sample to use my hydrometer without breaking the airlock? is it that important I don't mind leaving it a bit longer, say two weeks to ensure proper fermentation, is there anything wrong with leaving it too long.
Also I want to add sugar when I bottle, so do I need to pick up a bottling bucket to add the sugar to, or can I mix the sugar mixture into the carboy before I bottle and syphon from there.
I did read through this forum quite a bit and looked for the best ways to do this but got information overload.
I'm also wondering if I should even bother with the glass carboy for brewing with a kit, or just get a plastic bucket with a spigot and be done with it.
Any tips/suggestion or things to look for are appreciated.
So I mixed it up in the bucket, added dry malt (sanitized everything) got it to about 22-23 degrees and added the yeast, stirred it in a bit.
since I have a glass carboy I figured I'd use that to ferment and syphoned into that right away, put on the airlock/cap, covered with a blanket and now its sitting in my kitchen which is usually around 18 degrees.
So now for the questions, the first one being that how can I get a sample to use my hydrometer without breaking the airlock? is it that important I don't mind leaving it a bit longer, say two weeks to ensure proper fermentation, is there anything wrong with leaving it too long.
Also I want to add sugar when I bottle, so do I need to pick up a bottling bucket to add the sugar to, or can I mix the sugar mixture into the carboy before I bottle and syphon from there.
I did read through this forum quite a bit and looked for the best ways to do this but got information overload.
I'm also wondering if I should even bother with the glass carboy for brewing with a kit, or just get a plastic bucket with a spigot and be done with it.
Any tips/suggestion or things to look for are appreciated.