Is Secondary Fermentation Still Common Practice?

[Kampenken]

Hey Guys, Just a poll to see how many people still rack into secondary in all their brews.
I know that secondary can be useful in some styles however, as a hop junkie I bottle right after primary so I can consume that hoppy goodness as soon as possible.
So lets hear it, do you secondary? and on what styles?
GO!

No, not at all.
I did when I first started in '99, after my long hiatus I now never have used secondary in the last 2 yrs. Maybe if I did a sour, which I haven't yet.

 

[ChiefMufasa]

Question from a newb

I am still doing kits with LME and want to keg.

The two batches (Coopers kit) i have done have been 5 gal. and i have used secondary on both. If i decide not to use the secondary on my next batch and use a filter would this accomplish the same goal as the secondary?

if so how long should i Ferment in the primary before filtering and kegging?

Does the type of style you do have a factor? (extract, PM, AG)

Thanks

 

[mongoose33]

Question from a newb

I am still doing kits with LME and want to keg.

The two batches (Coopers kit) i have done have been 5 gal. and i have used secondary on both. If i decide not to use the secondary on my next batch and use a filter would this accomplish the same goal as the secondary?

Thanks

What are you filtering? Trub before it goes into the primary fermenter?

I don't use a secondary. As noted above by LBussy, there are legit reasons to use a secondary but if you're not doing any of them, then why?

You may be interested in this; it's what kicked me over the edge to cease using secondaries. I'll let my beer sit in primary for 2-4 weeks (typical: 3 1/2 weeks), then package. I keg it.

http://brulosophy.com/2014/06/02/the-great-trub-exbeeriment-results-are-in/

and

http://brulosophy.com/2015/03/22/the-impact-of-kettle-trub-part-2-exbeeriment-results/

 

[ChiefMufasa]

so then,

if i ferment in the primary for (how long) then filter then keg

how long does a extract kit have to ferment in the primary before filtering
then how long does it have to be in the keg before force carb to serve?

Thanks

 

[Weezy]

Follow whatever process works for you and helps you make your best beer. BUT no one should be teaching any new brewers to rack to secondary, unless they're racking for a true secondary fermentation onto fruit, or other yeast/bacteria, etc. There is no benefit to moving to a second container. and the risk of oxidation outweighs any perceived benefit of moving to a second container.

 

[ChiefMufasa]

ok thanks everyone for your input.

but still not certain if i don't need or should not rack to a secondary how long should a extract kit be in the primary.

currently i ferment for a week in primary and rack to a secondary for two weeks. if i don't rack to secondary is the 3 week total still needed? i have not gotten to the keg part yet so once the fermentation time is done and i filter how long does it have to be in the keg before force carb?

thanks

 

[ncbrewer]

ok thanks everyone for your input.

but still not certain if i don't need or should not rack to a secondary how long should a extract kit be in the primary.

currently i ferment for a week in primary and rack to a secondary for two weeks. if i don't rack to secondary is the 3 week total still needed? i have not gotten to the keg part yet so once the fermentation time is done and i filter how long does it have to be in the keg before force carb?

thanks

Opinions vary on time in the fermenter. Mostly from 2 - 4 weeks for "standard" beers - and some outside this range. I usually go with 3 weeks - that lets most of the yeast settle out and keeps yeast sediment in the bottles to a minimum. And gravity has always been stable by that time. I'd say you can go anywhere from 2 - 4 weeks and be ok. And since you keg, you don't have to worry about bottle bombs.

 

[Tombsy]

Since I started fermenting in my boil kettle(s), I moved to using a secondary to help clear the beer, plus the kettles don't fit in the fridge for cold crashing. My first batch after going from kettle/fermenter directly to keg was a disaster as there was way to much trub/sediment/grains that made it into the keg.

Ive done 2 batches using the fermonster as asecondary and its actually was less of a headache now.

 

[MrFancyPlants]

I secondary in my stomach.

 

[mongoose33]

ok thanks everyone for your input.

but still not certain if i don't need or should not rack to a secondary how long should a extract kit be in the primary.

currently i ferment for a week in primary and rack to a secondary for two weeks. if i don't rack to secondary is the 3 week total still needed? i have not gotten to the keg part yet so once the fermentation time is done and i filter how long does it have to be in the keg before force carb?

thanks

Why, and what, are you filtering? I never filter. I'll cold crash the fermenter, use gelatin to fine the beer, and then keg it.

I force carb my beer immediately after kegging. I put it on 30 psi for 24 hours then leave it at serving pressure.

 

[B-Digital]

I only use a secondary when I dry hop or am adding something to the fermenter. Mostly its because I ferment in glass carboys and have a 5 gallon plastic bucket that is way easier to get things into and out of. Trying to get a hop bag full of oak chips out of the narrow neck of a glass carboy is annoying.

I'd secondary if I fermented for longer than 4 weeks probably too but rarely do that.

It's definately got it's place but for most beers i make i dont bother.