How exactly do you add priming sugar

[spriggan486]

OK so I am on my 2nd 5 gallon batch, the last time I primed each individual bottle. This time I want to prime the entire batch together, because it sounds like that is the best way to get even carbonation.

My question is, when I add the sugar, do I stir the beer up, or just siphon the beer into the bucket, on top of the sugar and let it sit? And is 3/4 cup of corn sugar the right amount for 5 gallons? It is a pilsner btw.

Thanks for any help!

 

[earthad1]

I'm getting ready to bottle my brown ale in about a week and also had a question which kind of relates to this thread.

When you remove the airlock from a secondary vessel (glass carboy) and siphon into a bottling bucket (bucket with a spigot) would this not introduce oxygen into the beer?

Same question with priming sugar. Once the priming sugar is in the bottling bucket and you stir the beer, does this not create a risk of oxygenation?

 

[brewt00l]

I'm getting ready to bottle my brown ale in about a week and also had a question which kind of relates to this thread.

When you remove the airlock from a secondary vessel (glass carboy) and siphon into a bottling bucket (bucket with a spigot) would this not introduce oxygen into the beer?

Same question with priming sugar. Once the priming sugar is in the bottling bucket and you stir the beer, does this not create a risk of oxygenation?

Only if your splashing about...exercise care and you have no worries.

Your options for incorporating the priming sugar are to mix it in dry or to boil a small amount of water and dissolve it in that, then mix that solution into the beer. Corn sugar is usually fine enough that it will mix thoroughly dry. Table sugar I definetly like to dissolve in the water first. I generally drop my priming sugar (or solution) into the bottling bucket and rack the beer on to it. Mix gently and you're set.

 

[Nurmey]

Make a syrup with the sugar. Put a cup or two of water in a pan, add sugar, and boil for a few minutes. Add the syrup to the bottling bucket and rack your beer on top of the syrup. You can give it a few GENTLE swirls with a sanitized spoon but usually the racking mixes it up just fine. You do not want to agitate the beer if you stir!

Removing the airlock and racking does not introduce oxygen but splashing or shaking the beer will.

 

[Panzermann]

Make a syrup with the sugar. Put a cup or two of water in a pan, add sugar, and boil for a few minutes. Add the syrup to the bottling bucket and rack your beer on top of the syrup. You can give it a few GENTLE swirls with a sanitized spoon but usually the racking mixes it up just fine. You do not want to agitate the beer if you stir!

Removing the airlock and racking does not introduce oxygen but splashing or shaking the beer will.

Exactly what I do, I get my water boiling, add the dextrose and stir it together until dissolved. Pour it into my bottling bucket, siphon from secondary on top of it. Lightly stir to make sure it is mixed good. Bingo, Bango!

 

[onejdn]

I always use 3/4 cup of corn sugar into the bottling bucket. It's cheaper than the carb tabs and works great. sometimes if I'm doing a smooth stout or porter I will only use 1/2 cup because I want less carbonation. I know some guys boil the sugar but i don't and have never had a problem. Just be careful when you transfer from secondary to bottling bucket and you will avoid oxygenation.

 

[Marko73]

I have never swirled the mixture in the bottling bucket. I added my sugar solution and carefully siphoned the beer right into it. I have never had any issues with carbonation.

Just my $.02

 

[alpo]

You might also want to cool the sugar solution to 80 degrees before mixing it with the beer.

I drop a sanitized temperature probe into the pot and put the whole thing in the freezer. When it is 70-80 F, then I put it in the bottling bucket and siphon the beer.

 

[earthad1]

Only if your splashing about...exercise care and you have no worries.

Your options for incorporating the priming sugar are to mix it in dry or to boil a small amount of water and dissolve it in that, then mix that solution into the beer. Corn sugar is usually fine enough that it will mix thoroughly dry. Table sugar I definetly like to dissolve in the water first. I generally drop my priming sugar (or solution) into the bottling bucket and rack the beer on to it. Mix gently and you're set.

Thanks. I'm thinking of using brown sugar for my brown ale as per a sugestion by someone here but I take it its the same process. Just want to make sure I get a nice, even mix when I add the syrup in...

Awesome.

 

[spriggan486]

Thank you for all of the great responses! They really cleared things up for me!

 

[KDM]

Yeah, thanks for all the great responses! I'm still a couple weeks away from my very first bottling day (awww), and watching some of these threads with eyes wide as saucers. Hah, ain't it grand being a complete and utter bigtime greenhorn n00b???

 

[Revvy]

I put together some of my tips and techniques for bottling ease here....https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f35/revvys-tips-bottler-first-time-otherwise-94812/

 

[KDM]

I saw that, and have already begun gearing up to perform my imminent bottling duties per that presentation. From prior - and totally unrelated - experience I clearly see the wisdom in making one's self physically comfortable in order to make the attention-demanding job as un-tedious as possible. Man, that's a lot of hyphens.

I believe there's a place in heaven for people like Revvy. Or at least a really decent price to be had on a nice plot at Forest Park Eternal Rest Gardens that has actual trees and shrubs and stuff nearby.

 

[earthad1]

I put together some of my tips and techniques for bottling ease here....https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f35/revvys-tips-bottler-first-time-otherwise-94812/

That thread is fantastic Revvy !!!!

Definately worth the read. I don't think I will have a problem bottling after reading that. :rockin:

 

[brewt00l]

You might also want to cool the sugar solution to 80 degrees before mixing it with the beer.

I drop a sanitized temperature probe into the pot and put the whole thing in the freezer. When it is 70-80 F, then I put it in the bottling bucket and siphon the beer.

No real need to do so...I toss it in hot and then rack right on to the solution. 5+ gallons of 70 degree beer is going to win that fight.

 

[-TH-]

No real need to do so...I toss it in hot and then rack right on to the solution. 5+ gallons of 70 degree beer is going to win that fight.

Yes but what about the first little amount of beer (previously cold crashing in the fridge mind you) that hits the near boiling hot sugar-water? I've always feared that "damage" might be done by the shock so I let it cool first. Also I'm leery about pouring really hot water into a bucket - like it might pull some plastic flavor or something. Maybe I worry too much but I'm not at the point in my brewing career where I can risk these types of things. However, advice from HBT members goes a long way with me so I'd be interested in hearing others' methods on this...

 

[Revvy]

Yes but what about the first little amount of beer (previously cold crashing in the fridge mind you) that hits the near boiling hot sugar-water? I've always feared that "damage" might be done by the shock so I let it cool first. Also I'm leery about pouring really hot water into a bucket - like it might pull some plastic flavor or something. Maybe I worry too much but I'm not at the point in my brewing career where I can risk these types of things. However, advice from HBT members goes a long way with me so I'd be interested in hearing others' methods on this...

You're just overly paranaoid...I used to be too...it won't.

But if you look at my process in the link I offered, you will see that my priming sugar ends up cooling about 10-15 minutes before I add it...I pull it off the stove have way through the bottling sanitization step, and usually set it in the sink with some water.