Is fermenting finished?

[stevie79]

Coopers austrailian lager 23 Litre using Brew Enhancer 1 with a starting gravity of 1.040.

Anyway everything took off great and managed to keep temp between 20-24 degrees but from day 5-7 it has been sitting at 1.015

Can anyone tell me if it's done fermenting and should I just bottle it next wee or so ??

 

[Rockn_M]

If the gravity hasn't changed over a few days it's probably done.

 

[stevie79]

If the gravity hasn't changed over a few days it's probably done.

Ok thanks, should I bottle as i have a canadian blonde waiting to get started ?

 

[Rockn_M]

Typically I would wait longer than 7 days but if the gravity is stable and your ready to start something else I don't see why you can't.

 

[bbohanon]

My rule of thumb is to let it sit in the fermenter for at least 2 weeks minimum. I have started leaving my batches in primary in for 3 weeks these days as I think it helps the yeast clean up after itself and clear up a tad. After 3 weeks I know its going to be done and ready for the keg.

Longer time in primary is never a bad thing to let the yeast clean itself up some after fermentation is complete regardless if primary fermentation seems to be done in 5-7 days.
Just my .02.

 

[DJDBrew]

If it were me, and assuming the FG has been stable over the past 3 days, I'd still give it at least one more week. The yeast are busy cleaning themselves up and will then begin to drop and you will get a much clearer and clean tasting beer by waiting.

 

[DJDBrew]

My rule of thumb is to let it sit in the fermenter for at least 2 weeks minimum. I have started leaving my batches in primary in for 3 weeks these days as I think it helps the yeast clean up after itself and clear up a tad. After 3 weeks I know its going to be done and ready for the keg.

Longer time in primary is never a bad thing to let the yeast clean itself up some after fermentation is complete regardless if primary fermentation seems to be done in 5-7 days.
Just my .02.

dang, beat me to it!

 

[stevie79]

so much replies and so fast , thanks very much .

Anyway I think I will leave it another week at least! I don't want to mess up my 1st brew lol. I have a 23 litre fermenter bucket with no lid or airlock , would that be ok to start the canadian blonde?

 

[J187]

I'd advise you to control the temps a little better if possible. 68f to 75f is a pretty decent swing and if it got near 75f early on, that would concern me a bit. If it swung from 68F to 75F, the yeast can express heat shock proteins and become damaged. The two conditions that are bad for yeast are temps too high or too low, OR temps that swing too far within a range. Usually you really want to keep those swings under 4F if you can. Ideally, only a couple of degrees, starting cooler and warming a bit after active fermentation.