Primary vs Secondary Fermentation

[ShowPonyBrewing]

Does anyone have any experience or advice on fermenting in primary only vs racking to a secondary? I’ve heard people who always use a secondary and those who do it only based on the type of beer they are brewing. Also timelines of how long folks out there are leaving their beers in the primary before racking to secondary? Thanks.

 

[beermanpete]

I have been using a primary only for ales. For lagers I transfer to a secondary for the lagering period.

You will get mixed responses to your question but it seems like the majority of brewers on this forum do not use a secondary.

 

[flars]

I quit using a secondary clearing vessel over a decade ago. I've found that three weeks in the primary gives me very clear beer ready to bottle.

 

[ShowPonyBrewing]

Great. Thank u both.

 

[S-Met]

Yes for wines and ciders, no for beer. I don't lager yet, might in that case. Also might if I did some delicate/harsh additions where I was concerned about contact time or left longer than a few weeks in the fermenter.