Fermentation Done?

[ryanpaulnorris]

Hello all! 2 questions:
1) Without a winetheif, how do you get a sample from the carboy to test the gravity of your beer? Just tip it over and pour some?
2) I've had an Anchor Steam Porter (all grain) fermenting for the last 14 days. I was thinking that it would be done by now, but there still seems to be some positive pressure - the airlock isn't bubbling, but is still being pushed and held up. Now, I know that taking a gravity sample 3 days in a row will give me a concrete answer, but as I haven't figured out a great way to draw a sample (see above), I was just going to wait it out, as I've done in the past. I'd love to bottle this weekend if possible. Is two weeks usually enough time? Thanks for your help!
-Ryan

 

[Ma2]

I have always gone with the rule of thumb that once my bubbles in the airlock are further than a minute apart it's safe to take out of the fermenter

 

[ayoungrad]

I'd invest the $8 for a wine theif.

But in the meantime, let it go for 3 weeks in primary. It may be done at 2 but why risk it? And it can only get better by sitting another week.

 

[Seven]

Without a gravity reading using a hydrometer you are just guessing if fermentation is complete or not.

You can take a sample from the carboy with a piece of sanitized hose: stick the hose in, let it fill up, then hold your thumb over the other end of the hose as you pull the sample out of the carboy. Then transfer the sample from the hose into your hydrometer test tube. Repeat until you have enough sample to cause the hydrometer to float.

 

[ryanpaulnorris]

Good thinking on the sanitized hose, Seven! I'll do that.

 

[malkore]

Ryan,
i see you are in Lincoln. Kirk's on cornhusker should have wine thieves in stock...a pretty valuable but cheap tool. get an auto-siphon too.

Also, if you haven't heard of us, www.lincolnlagers.com is the local brew club website. Feel free to come to the March meeting and see what we're about