Secondary fermenter question

[dansmith13]

Thanks to all who helped get my confidence back on my Cream Ale that I had thought was stalled during fermentation. A few people told me to chill and thank you for that because I left it for the entire week then opened it up, took a gravity reading (definitely fermented) and tasted it. It was really good.

Now, I have a question about the secondary. The directions on the kit are to primary ferment for one week (which is done and it's now in the secondary).
It's supposed to be in the secondary for another week.

My question is would it be beneficial (or detrimental) to leave in the secondary for longer? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[jonmohno]

yes, and its fine to leave it in primary for a month if you want,I always keep mine in primary 3 weeks min. Dont listen to the directions youll have a good beer in 5 weeks + I wouldnt recommend botteling ever before 2 weeks. You could leave it for months with no ill-effect.

 

[Pappers_]

^^ what he said

 

[dansmith13]

Thanks guys. This site has been so helpful.

The responses are quick and to the point.

I can't wait to start enjoying some brews.

 

[JLW]

Secondary is really used to clean up the beer. It let's everything settle out. Also, you use a secondary for dry hopping or any other addition like wood chips. A lot of brewers doen't even use a secondary.

I have had an Imperial stout in secondary for going on 3 months now and will probably be there for at least another month.

Not sure if you have the ability to cold crash? But that last week in secondary (before you are ready to bottle) you place the fermenter in a cold place to cold crash to really clean up the beer.

Here is a thread on cold crashing:

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f39/cold-crashing-question-73288/