Fermentation

[buzzbrewing]

How do I know when fermentation is complete in the primary and secondary fermenters?

 

[freisste]

In primary, you know it is complete when gravity measurements are equivalent over a few days.

Generally, "secondary" isn't the correct word as no fermentation should take place; it is more correctly called a "brite tank" because it is used to clear the beer. However, it isn't totally uncommon to add fermentable materials in a second vessel. In this case, it is no different than the primary - equivalent gravity readings over a couple of days.

 

[ColoHox]

By testing the gravity. Stable gravity readings at or near your estimated FG over a few days indicate the beer is finished (or stalled, but that is different).

Also, FWIW, you should only transfer to secondary (if at all) when fermentation is complete in primary. Secondary is used to clear, add dry hops, oak, things like that, and is not a necessary step in making beer if you are not adding anything, IMO.

 

[BigFloyd]

How do I know when fermentation is complete in the primary and secondary fermenters?

Unless you're adding fruit or doing long-term aging, no secondary is needed. You'll simply increase the risk of oxidation.

Give it 10 days in the primary, take a gravity reading. 4 days later, take another one. If it's the same and is close to the expected FG for the batch, it's done fermenting. You can then either 1) cold crash it, 2) let it sit another week to clarify, or 3) prime/bottle it.