Poll: Do you use a secondary?

[shoestealer17]

This is based from the post
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f14/poll-how-long-do-you-primary-215533/

I saw that most people use a secondary only to dry hop/ bulk age etc and not just for clarification like in the "traditional thinking" just wanted to see what people are doing, maybe ill change my technique

-And yes, I reaize I spelled Secondary wrong in the poll title, typo.

 

[D_Struct]

Just depends if my carboy is in use at the moment.

90% of the time, I just forego the secondary. I've found that I get quality beer (and clear) if I just give it adequate time in the primary.

Then again, I like hefeweizens and Belgians, so they don't need clearing.

For the most part, the only reason I'll need a secondary is if I plan to dry hop or use fruit.

 

[CrookedTail]

I do it all the time. The clarity of my beers is noticeably better when I use the secondary.

 

[shoestealer17]

All the responses ive read about this have been very interesting, some say plenty of clarity from the long primary, others say clairty comes much better from a secondary.

Also if you only use a primary, do you use a carboy and not a plastic bucket?

 

[JasonInBTR]

Currently only secondary because of carboy supply. Have a 6.5 and a 5. Once I get a few more ferms I'll only secondary to dryhop or fruit.

 

[buzzkill]

my kegs are my secondarys.

 

[D_Struct]

Also if you only use a primary, do you use a carboy and not a plastic bucket?

Plastic bucket, as my carboy is only a 5 gallon, and I don't find that to be sufficient for a primary.

 

[FAJ]

I use a secondary to dry-hop or add fruit. Or when I want to free up a primary. I don't use one in the normal beer procedure or on any schedule otherwise. A long primary works just fine.

 

[cheezydemon3]

I chose Bulk age, but really, I just secondary if I don't have a keg open and I want to re-use the yeast.

 

[Hellfish76]

For the most part I only use a secondary when dry hopping or oaking (I've yet to add fruit, but it is on my list of things to do this year). I occasionally use it to age a beer or if there is something in the primary that can mess with clarity (I transferred my pumpkin ale to secondary to get more clarity).

If I'm just doing a normal beer, I'll let it stay in the primary.

 

[sjlammer]

Welll this is a complete hijack...

I honestly don't see the difference between the first, third and fourth choice.

For me, I hardly ever use a secondary except to bulk age (usually with oak), or add fruit.

 

[shoestealer17]

I honestly don't see the difference between the first, third and fourth choice.

Yeah, they are pretty similar, from what I can see with those three most people dont use a secondary just for clearing

Im just trying to decide how im going to go about brewing my beer, the way ive been thinking has changed 20 times in the past 2 days so im just trying to get the most information possible. And I could say you hijacked my origional post.. but theyre all referenced and its all good information, im learning alot

 

[sjlammer]

You are correct... i was just busting.

I set up my poll to refute the guy who said that he thinks that people who long primary are a vocal minority.... as you can see, we are the majority... over 65% of us use a long primary. I wish i had set it up to exclude new brewers... I would like to see what the breakdown would be for experienced brewers... i bet the number goes up.

 

[Bottenbrew]

I secondary because I have found the multiple racking process gives me a clearer final product. Mainly because racking to the secondary gets rid of 95% of the trub/yeast cake, and then going from secondary to keg or bottles gets rid of 95% of what is left. So my answer is kind of a hybrid, I don't secondary for taste purposes, I do it as a sort of filtration.

 

[SwampassJ]

I'm only using it as a bright tank for a week of cold crashing before bottling.

 

[shoestealer17]

I set up my poll to refute the guy who said that he thinks that people who long primary are a vocal minority.... as you can see, we are the majority... over 65% of us use a long primary.

This result is pretty interesting, It will most likley change the way I brew

 

[JonK331]

If you read the most up to date info on this subject, you will find that using a secondary is not necessary most of the time.

 

[shoestealer17]

If you read the most up to date info on this subject, you will find that using a secondary is not necessary most of the time.

What is the most up to date info and where can I find it? I would love to read it

 

[shoestealer17]

If I'm just doing a normal beer, I'll let it stay in the primary.

And is the primary a plastic bucket or glass carboy?
^Thats for anyone to answer, ive read things about oxygen being able to permiate plastic over time

 

[steinsato]

Didn't actually vote, I secondary to bulk age and to dry hop only.
I'll dry hop in plastic or glass but will only bulk age in glass.

 

[shoestealer17]

Didn't actually vote, I secondary to bulk age and to dry hop only.
I'll dry hop in plastic or glass but will only bulk age in glass.

The voting is still open i think

 

[steinsato]

The voting is still open i think

I didn't vote because I can't choose both bulk and dryhop

 

[remilard]

You are correct... i was just busting.

I set up my poll to refute the guy who said that he thinks that people who long primary are a vocal minority.... as you can see, we are the majority... over 65% of us use a long primary. I wish i had set it up to exclude new brewers... I would like to see what the breakdown would be for experienced brewers... i bet the number goes up.

You are refuting a guy who claims the existence of a vocal minority with a...


self selected internet poll?

 

[shoestealer17]

I didn't vote because I can't choose both bulk and dryhop

I think ageing is included in dry hopping/oaking, no?

 

[dvdanny]

I only secondary now for extended aging or oaking. Fruit and Dry hops go right into primary, with fruit being added a week after pitching (or whenever fermentation settles) and dry hop being added 1 week before bottling. My beers are much clearer now that I don't secondary (could also be because I am bottle conditioning much longer).

 

[steinsato]

I think ageing is included in dry hopping/oaking, no?

It's not but I voted that way anyhow.

 

[Walker]

I'm very interesting in seeing how this pans out. There are a couple of people on this forum who repeatedly declare, "Most of us no longer use a secondary", but the numbers aren't really backing that claim up.

I always use a secondary.

 

[Bulls Beers]

Never...

 

[Walker]

If you read the most up to date info on this subject, you will find that using a secondary is not necessary most of the time.

Yeah.. the problem with "up to date info" in the homebrewing community is that the sh!t will be completely different in a year.

 

[Lodovico]

I only use a secondary for bulk aging or something on oak or fruit. As far as "latest" research everyone is talking about, I analyze it based on the quality of my beer.
I've won a good number of medals, my beer is crystal clear, and I really enjoy what I brew. If you want a more "experienced" opinion, go listen to the fermentation podcasts on the Brew Network.

Jamil is regarded as the best home brewer on the planet and he doesn't use a secondary. What else do you need to know?
Will it hurt to use one? Obviously not. But I feel in most classic styles, it's a waste of time. Just one opinion.