Newbie first batch - missed step and questions

[MarkB]

Howdy all!

My first batch boiled and placed into the primary last Saturday (Oct 1, 2011). I followed the directions of the kit (malt extract kit, Brewers Best English Brown Ale) almost exactly. I say /almost/ because I did seem to forget a pretty important step, I forgot to take my gravity readings. Well, forgot isn't quite right, I only brewed a 1/2 batch my first go around, so split the kit in two - and I couldn't get the hydrometer to take an accurate reading in the primary since it wasn't 'deep' enough. Which, makes me ask the question about how most people take their readings? What is the best way to get the long hydrometer readings done, inside a 'skinny' tube? How about getting out the samples for testing?

During the brewing portion, I had a hart time getting the wort into the primary, the auto-siphon wasn't working well, which in hindsight I know what I did - siphons do not work well when you have the source the same level as the second. So, needless to say, there was a little more 'trub' in the primary than there ordinarily would/should be.

So, checking on the primary the airlock had seemed to completely stall, with nothing. Now, reading on here it ordinarily isn't something to worry about, but I figured that with the added sediment I KNOW is in the primary, and that the bubbles have completely stopped (observed for 5+ minutes with zero activity), I thought I'd transfer to the secondary to go another week or so in that 3gal carboy. (and yes, I know that the there are two camps here, those who think transferring to secondary is fine, and those who never do)

I haul the bucket to the counter in the kitchen, set it on the counter, and within a minute, the airlock starts bubbling. About every 45 seconds or less. So, question is, should I transfer to the secondary anyway, or just put it back away?

Because of all the sediment I know is in the bottom from the initial transfer, I really think I should do a transfer. I don't mind waiting another week or more before I prime to bottling bucket and bottle, but wondering what I should do.

Should I rack now to secondary, or just put the primary back in its place and let it sit for a while more? Even knowing there is some extra sediment in the primary with the brew....

I know, quite a few questions here, but I'm ready to check it out. Also, along with the question about how to take an accurate gravity reading.

Like I said, total newbie. But yeah, I certainly know better on the siphon this time!

 

[cl330b]

Have patience, let it go for a little while. I wouldnt transfer anything until you take a gravity reading. The kit should have come with instructions and should have given a range (estimate) of what the gravity should be as far as OG & FG. When the gravity stabilizes and the readings are the same for a few days, then rack when it is in suggested range.

 

[orcus332]

how most people take their readings? What is the best way to get the long hydrometer readings done, inside a 'skinny' tube? How about getting out the samples for testing?

I keep a measuring cup (around 2/3 cup) in sanitizer water. Always make sure the wort is mixed well before obtaining a sample to ensure it is homogenous. I used to use the plastic tube that my hydrometer was stored in until i melted it with hot wort (oops). Since then I bought a glass cylinder similar to a graduated cylinder w/o the graduations from austin homebrew supply. Also, never pour the sample back in or you'll risk contaminating your soon to be beer.

 

[SilverZero]

If you ferment in a carboy, you'll probably need a wine thief. It's basically just a long hollow tube with a hole at the top so you can dip it, fill it, and plug it with your thumb to pull the sample out.

 

[Taypo]

+1 to the wine thief. Makes samples SO much easier.

 

[MarkB]

So, bring it back out, open it up, take some gravity readings and put it away for 3 days. Then repeat. If the FG is in the range from the kit, do I move to the bottle-bucket and start bottling or rack it to the secondary fermentation carboy? The guy at the FLBS said I'd likely want to move it since I was doing a half-batch in a full-sized kit, but I seem to be getting some conflicting information and I'm so new (first batch, woot!) that I don't know much better either way.

I will have to source out a couple more pieces, sounds like I need to get a wine-thief and find some place for a unmarked graduation cylinder to take my readings with before I do this. I also want to buy a Vinator for sterilizing my bottles before I do that, so I think its time to do some more shopping...

Thanks all for the input.