How many times opening the fermenter is too much?

[freisste]

I never remove the lid, but I do pull the airlock to test gravity.

What do you use to pull a sample? The hole for my airlock is only 3/8", then the grommet takes up some of that diameter. So you sample with a straw or something?

 

[zarfus]

What do you use to pull a sample? The hole for my airlock is only 3/8", then the grommet takes up some of that diameter. So you sample with a straw or something?

This method would only really work if you had a refractometer (or a giant bung hole O_O). The one I bought came with a 6ish inch eye dropper

 

[hodge]

My wife's pretty sick of me handing her cloudy brown stuff from fermenters and saying "Taste this!"

I could've said the exact same thing... after "taste this", I follow with "what do you think?". She always says nice things, probably just to make me feel good.

 

[KarenHauck]

Hi, DJ!

 

[KarenHauck]

When I do need to open the bucket I have a bucket wrench my husband gave to me, because when I close it, I use a rubber hammer to get it on tightly!!

 

[Setesh]

IMO, any time that you don't actually need to open the fermentor but do anyway is an unnecessary risk. It's not an alarmingly high risk, but it's a risk. The caveat with this is that if you are going to drink this beer really fast, like kick the keg in two weeks, you're probably just fine. If you are going to age the beer then IMO you should take every step you can to avoid contamination, which includes not opening the fermentor.

 

[BreezyBrew]

This method would only really work if you had a refractometer (or a giant bung hole O_O). The one I bought came with a 6ish inch eye dropper

Refractometers are only accurate prior to fermentation. After that, it's all hydrometer.

 

[wtfDean]

my airlock usually just smells like vodka.

also, breezy is right. the refractometer is only useful before there's alcohol in the beer.

 

[zarfus]

Refractometers are only accurate prior to fermentation. After that, it's all hydrometer.

http://www.northernbrewer.com/refractometer-calculator/

Has proven to be accurate for me, YMMV I guess. I always have a hydrometer as a backup, haven't really touched it since though.

 

[JakeSparrow]

Well my first batch I've brewed is still fermenting been a little afraid to take the lid off but the airlock does smell good. Im patient enough to wait but it would be cool to see the yeast at work. What's the best way to take a sample before bottling to make sure it's good to go?

 

[wtfDean]

i use a sanitized turkey baster

 

[NTXBrauer]

Time to get a carboy, then you can watch without opening.

^^^I agree with coolharry. This is probably the main reason I moved to carboys early on when I began brewing, so I could keep an eye on it.

Every time you open the lid (especially early in the fermentation process) you risk contaminating your beer. IMO, if you have to open the lid, do it once to take your first gravity reading.

 

[Setesh]

^^^I agree with coolharry. This is probably the main reason I moved to carboys early on when I began brewing, so I could keep an eye on it.

Every time you open the lid (especially early in the fermentation process) you risk contaminating your beer. IMO, if you have to open the lid, do it once to take your first gravity reading.

The Bubbler or Better Bottles work too.

 

[JakeSparrow]

Thanks dean that's what I was thinking. Once dry hopping is complete ill try it out with a baster.

 

[RPCidery]

i use a sanitized turkey baster

I use one of those as well. Handy item, and they're only a buck.

 

[kh54s10]

If you have no problems more than twice is too often to open your fermenter. After 2-3 weeks take a gravity check. (1st opening) 2 days later take a second gravity check. (2nd opening) If the gravity readings are the same you can bottle the beer.

Opening it any more often is taking an unnecessary risk of infecting your beer.

 

[chickypad]

also, breezy is right. the refractometer is only useful before there's alcohol in the beer.

I'd disagree a bit, if the reading is stable it will tell you if fermentation is complete without needing to take 2 full samples. I've also found Sean Terrill's refractometer calculator to be quite accurate with all but very highly attenuated beers (I'm usually double checking with a hydrometer myself but not always on a small batch).

When using a bucket for primary I actually just leave the lids a bit loose because I have such trouble getting them off even with a wrench. I haven't had any infection or oxidation issues, although the beers aren't in there more than about 2wks, maybe 3wk tops if dryhopping.

 

[freisste]

Well my first batch I've brewed is still fermenting been a little afraid to take the lid off but the airlock does smell good. Im patient enough to wait but it would be cool to see the yeast at work. What's the best way to take a sample before bottling to make sure it's good to go?

Sanitized thief. Or sanitized turkey baster, if you don't have a thief.