bennychico11
Well-Known Member
Nurmey gave you good advice. If you do not know that your fermentation is complete you could end up with what is known as "Bottle Bombs". Get a hydrometer and I would wait at least 2 weeks in the primary.
Using a secondary reall is not necessary as long as you do not leave the beer in the primary longer than 5-6 weeks. So leave the beer in the primary for at least two weeks. Bottle and wait at least two weeks. Once you find out what beer you like you can ensure that you have a never ending supply by making batches on a consumption schedule and making sure that they are aged properly. Aging is based on type of beer and alcohol content. I make a Pale Ale that is 5% ABV I keep it in the primary for 3 weeks and then keg condition for 2 more weeks. I also make an IPA that is 6% ABV that stays in the priamry for 4 weeks and keg conditions for 2 weeks. I make about 3 batches per month. 2 batches of the Pale Ale and 1 of the IPA.
Welcome to the obsession!
thanks for the advice...I'll wait a little longer then. I'll also try and get to the store this week so I can grab a hydrometer. I need to pick up a bottling wand anyway (and maybe another extract kit for my next batch). Plus I just found in the instructions where it listed the hydrometer reading. It listed it as 1006....which I'm assuming is 1.006? +/- temperature corrections? It also says to check that it stays at that level for two consecutive days, so I'll do that before bottling. I'm hoping it finishes up before I head out of town for vacation in a couple weeks!!!!