Moving to Two Stage Fermentation with Coopers Kit-Need Help

[gerrym526]

Guys,

I'm on my 8th batch of beer since getting my Coopers Micro Brew Kit last Christmas, and happy to say all but one came out great (have to hide my beer when neighbors or my college age daughers friends come over!)-and were well received.
I would like to move to 2-stage fermentation for my new batch-can any of you advise what equipment I need to order in addition to the fermenter supplied with Cooper's kit? I 'm trying to avoid buying a whole new brewing kit and save money for beer kits.
Right now I'm assuming I can just connect a plastic tube to the valve assembly on the Coopers fermenter and just run it into a carboy for secondary fermentation. Would I then need a siphon to get it from the carboy into the bottles? I use carbonation drops (capsule form of priming sugar) put directly in the bottles, so assume I can eliminate a bottling bucket as well.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Gerry

 

[PT Ray]

Why do want to use a secondary? The good thing about kit beers there is hardly any break material or trub to worry about. Just leave it in the fermenter until it drops clear and then bottle.

 

[gerrym526]

Guys,
To answer Ray's question-I'm now moving into beer kits that recommend 2-stage fermentation because they involve a crushed grain steep, as well as hop boils, which tend to increase the trub.
Gerry

 

[big_jannie]

You still shouldn't necessarily need a 2nd fermentation vessel - A lot of people on these boards to extract brews with hops/steeping grains, and do just fine with a 3+ week primary. It all settles out if you give it long enough. Lots of kits recommend 2 stage fermentation, but the only difference I've noticed since moving to a single long primary is clearer beer.

 

[pyrobrew]

I'm not an expert but after reading these forums it sounds like your best bet is to just leave your beer in the primary for 3 to 4 weeks. The whole secondary thing seems to be going out of style like lead in gasoline.

 

[Shooter]

As has already been suggested, save your money. What you're trying to do doesn't require a secondary, just a longer primary. I think the spigot on the Coopers fermenter is mounted high enough that most of the trub will settle below the outlet.

 

[jiggs_casey]

You don't need to do a secondary but, if you want to, your idea is right on. You'll need to buy a carboy and you'll need to buy a racking cane to get the beer out of the carboy...

 

[grasshopper1917]

Hi Gerry - I brew coopers kits and use rack it to a Carboy (secondary). I think you really have it nailed on the head you will need a plastic tube - of course a carboy - to siphon you can get an auto siphon or just suck on the end of the hose to get er going (just gargle with mouthwash first to cut down on bacteria).

You can use the carb tab's or a bottling bucket (that's what i use) with corn sugar but either will work fine.

Cheers