I forgot to add water to the primary....

[jahi120]

So I had a huge brain fart and didn't add any water to my wort after putting it in the primary. I just pitched the yeast and threw the lid on. I didn't even notice till a week later. Do I have 3 gallons of trash or can I just add water when i put it in the secondary?

 

[DeathBrewer]

You can add water, but it should not have any oxygen in it. I will often make 5 gallon batches and ferment them in 3 gallon carboys, then top off with water in the keg. I use distilled water and purge the container with plenty of co2, so the splashing doesn't absorb oxygen. This will work with secondary, as well, assuming you have co2 to purge.

Your yeast may take longer to finish their job, since they are in a higher gravity wort.

If they are not done fermenting, you could add the water now. Any little amount of oxygen that is produced will get eaten up by the yeast. Risky, tho, if you are near the end of fermentation.

EDIT: Oh, and welcome to HBT!

 

[phatuna]

ouch, that was a pretty big brain fart!! anyway, you will get some good ideas of what to do from others, but please - do NOT throw away your beer!!

 

[hnefatafl]

I've done exactly this previously, and then had a tough time trying to duplicate it properly. It's going to be a different beer, but it will still be BEER. That's what's important.

On the other side of the toast, I accidentally dumped an additional 2 gal of water into a porter I was making. The woman helping me asked if we'd have to dump it 'cause it was ruined. I told her that the recipe was ruined, but dammit, it's still beer.

 

[Cpt_Kirks]

I have heard the BMC breweries brew strong, then water the beer down. I have added water to a keg when the flavor just came out too intense, and it worked out fine.

 

[imprez25]

I did this with my batch last night. Though i had pitched the yeast just a minute before I realized I forgot to add the top off water, so i'm sure I will be fine. Lowered my OG a few points thought. Started off at 1.057 without the top of water and ended at 1.045 with top off water.