Secondary Setup

[AaronAle]

I'm just starting out and already bottled once right out of the primary. I want to have a go at secondary fermenting. Just to clear up the beer a bit more, and dry hop.

With the secondary does it need to be a glass carboy, or can I use a plastic fermenter like my primary is.

Also could I rack out of the spout of my primary and into my secondary? Or do I need a racking cane and syphon from the top of the primary to the secondary?

Then when it's time to bottle (if I use a plastic secondary) could I bottle out of the spout at the bottom? or transfer to a bottling bucket?

Cheers

 

[homebeerbrewer]

Actually, the one with the spout is the bottling bucket. If you used it to ferment, don't worry, it works the same. As for using the spout to transfer, attach a hose to it and fill the other bucket from the bottom, you don't want to just open the valve and let it drain.

Also, a secondary isn't necessarily needed to clear the beer, but it is better if you want to dry hop.

 

[avibayer]

+1 homebeerbrewer.

i use a plastic bucket for secondary, but have been thinking about going glass. I transfer to the secondary using the racking cane, because it lets me control the flow and prevent sediment from getting into the secondary. I use the spigot on the secondary to bottle from (with a tube and bottling wand).

the reason you need the hose or tube is to prevent oxidation (air) from getting into the beer. While the yeast love the air initially, now that fermentation has occured, the alcohol has the risk of being chemically converted (oxidized) to vinegar and other nasty things. hope that helps

 

[AaronAle]

Sweet as,

Thanks for the help and tips guys. I might just have to pick up my secondaries today. Getting close to Xmas and the shops are going to close for the next few weeks. Need to stock up

 

[AaronAle]

Actually, the one with the spout is the bottling bucket.

The brew kits down here are a bit different. They are kind of a all-in-one type setup. You ferment then bottle right out of the bottom of the kit, no need to transfer. Kind of the lazy kiwi way. HAHA! That's way I want to brew a bit differently to everyone else down here

 

[MurderMittenBrewing]

Hey AaronAle!

Welcome to the forum. I lived in Christchurch for 3 months and loved it. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of both the commercially available beer and local brew pubs.

Actually, seeing all of the homebrew shops in NZ is what made me decide to pick up the hobby.

 

[homebeerbrewer]

The brew kits down here are a bit different. They are kind of a all-in-one type setup. You ferment then bottle right out of the bottom of the kit, no need to transfer. Kind of the lazy kiwi way. HAHA! That's way I want to brew a bit differently to everyone else down here

If it works, why not? The only thing I'd be concerned about it the sediment. The level could vary from batch to batch, so it is possible that it can cover the inside of the spout.

 

[AaronAle]

Alright. I got my secondary bins, and they are a bit different shape to my primary.

I put the spout on and filled up the bucket to check for a leak. All fine.
Put the cleaning solution in and started cleaning. Dropped my racking tube and cain into the solution and cleaned it up. Washed it out and started racking.

Once I was done I sealed up the secondary and snapped it shut.

I then went and started cleaning the primary and getting ready to make another batch. Then I heard a dripping noise and found the tap leaking beer out of the secondary. I then cleaned and sterilized the primary and racked it back in.

I'm kind of freaked because I forgot to put the tube back into the solution the second time. Also the amount of moving the IPA has done now.

Just looking for some reassurance.

Cheers

 

[homebeerbrewer]

It should be fine, not much can live in fermented beer. And, as long as your tube didn't get dropped on the floor, it should still be fairly sanitary.

As the saying goes, RDWHAHB.