New to Brewing Questions

[BaltimoreBrewer]

Im so glad I found this forum. I have a few questions and as a newbie I dont want to mess up my 1st batch that is in 2nd stage ferm.

1. I let the beer (IPA) ferment for 7days. Then I transfered it to the glass carboy. There is zero activity going on (no bubbles or even foam ). Is this good? I understand that the yeast is pretty much done but I was expecting a little something.

2. I have a bunch of Peak organic bottles they have the grooves for a twist top but they are a pop top beer. Would they be ok for bottling ?

Thanks for the help and Cheers!

 

[WCrane]

Hopefully my limited insight will help.
1- Take a gravtiy reading with your hydrometer. That's the only way to tell. Bubbles in the beer or in the airlock and "foam" (krausen) are not measureing devices. Many will recommend letting your beer ferment in for 3-4weeks. Whether you use a secodnary or just a long primary is a matter of personal preference. (I made an IPA w/o a secondary)

2- If you have a bench capper then i say go for it. if you have a wing capper then i'd stay away for risk of breaking bottles and injury.

hope this helps

 

[pfish83]

I am in the 6th day of my primary fermentation on my 1st batch ever (which is also an IPA). Also, I live in Baltimore...

I will probably have similar questions so I am going to hang around this thread and pick up any info I can. Where in B'more do you live?

 

[Seven]

1. I let the beer (IPA) ferment for 7days. Then I transfered it to the glass carboy. There is zero activity going on (no bubbles or even foam ). Is this good? I understand that the yeast is pretty much done but I was expecting a little something.

I'm planning to let my brews sit in the primary for 2-weeks then I'll move to the secondaries for at least 2-weeks.

I don't think you'll see anything exciting happen once you move it to the secondary since primary fermentation should already be completed by then.

 

[BaltimoreBrewer]

WCrane thanks for the help. I did take a reading when I transfered it to the carboy and it was in the range that was on the recipe for end of fermentation. Looks like I will have to drink more dog fish head for bottles.lol
PFish I live in Hampden how bout you?

 

[user 21663]

I stopped using the Shipyard bottles I had because of the twist top. I use an Emily Cap ( wing type ). None of them ever broke, but randomly the Shipyard bottles would have lower or no carbonation. I'm assuming they didn't seal properly and co2 would leak out.

 

[pfish83]

I'm in Canton...

 

[BaltimoreBrewer]

also is it ok to sanitize bottles and equipment in a dishwasher with that setting?

 

[WCrane]

If you have the Sanitize setting and/or high heat...Bottles yes. Equipment I don't know if the plastic will take the heat might warp your tubings and lids

I use my DW all the time. Run a quick rinse cycle to rinse it out, No detergent High Heat and Sani cycle. Then I still give them a spray or dunk in no-rinse solution. 7 batches no issues. usally run it the night before and bottle the next morning.

 

[Walker]

i use secondaries all the time. Absolutely nothing 'exciting' happens after you rack it. It will sit there, silent, and some sediment will eventually start to form on the bottom.

As for the dishwasher, this is discussed a lot around here. A lot of folks don't trust the dishwasher because of all the food and gunk that go in there on a regular basis. Other folks do it and say it works fine.

If you trust it as a sanitizer, then feel free to use it, i don't suggest using it to clean your bottles. The neck of the bottle is too small for any real water to get up in there. The outside will be very clean, but not so much for the inside.

Also, be careful about any thing like jet dry or other stuff added. I've seen people report that they ended up with off flavors or beer that wouldn't form any head at all because of that stuff being in there.

 

[wetzie]

I am usually three weeks in the primary and then rack. Only use the secondary when dry hopping.
I would hold out for the proper bottles. I have only used Sam Adams; Dogfish; Heineken and such.

Grew up in Hampden, very cool town now.

 

[BaltimoreBrewer]

Thanks again for all the help.