How long can it sit on lees after primary fermentation?

[sansbury]

I have two 1-gal batches of cider in 2g buckets that I think are or must be close to done. They never seemed to get very energetic but after two weeks I took the first reading and got a SG of 0.996-7, which the internet seems to suggest is in the "finished" zone. It started around 1.05 and the taste is very dry with no obvious sweetness.

I have to leave tomorrow for a 4-5 day period and am wondering if I should feel any urgency to transfer it out of the buckets and into the 1g jugs I have for the secondary fermentation/aging. It will be in a constant 68-70° environment.

 

[Raptor99]

It sounds like it is probably finished fermenting. I would rack it into carboys under airlock with minimal air space. At this point, you should avoid O2 exposure as much as possible. A week or two on the lees isn't a problem, but the O2 exposure in the bucket is not desirable.

 

[Maylar]

A week will be no problem at all.

 

[Rish]

I leave mine 4 - 6 weeks in the fv with no negative effects; positive, actually.

 

[jnesselrode]

While a big headspace is generally not a good thing, just a few days will not be a problem. The space will be mostly filled with carbon dioxide from fermentation assuming there was a tight seal with the lid. As far as yeast breaking down and causing problems, I think you’re very safe for such a short period.

I’ve gone for several weeks on the lees in the primary will no noticeable negative effect.