Secondary

[ArroganceFan]

I am going to be racking my first batch to the secondary in a little while. Any tips or tricks I should know before I start? It was an extract kit and I have an automatic siphon, if any of that is important info.

Thanks

 

[anthrobe]

Nothing really special. Just sanitize and don't splash!!

 

[Drunkensatyr]

Ditto. What I find makes it a bit easier, grab a piece of 2x4 or something of similar size and prop the back side of the carboy up on it. Let it sit like that for a bit and it will help ya get more of the beer with less of the trub.

 

[ArroganceFan]

Do I have to worry about much trub because it was an extract kit? I know I have to worry about the yeasty boys on the bottom, but will there be a lot of trub?

 

[anthrobe]

Most of the trub should be down with the yeast. If not, I would not worry to much about it although it may not be done fermenting yet. That is the reason for the secondary is to help out drop some more stuff, plus to bulk age.

 

[DeathBrewer]

how long has it been in primary and have you reached your target final gravity yet?

 

[ArroganceFan]

its been over 10 days since fermentation began. I can not seem to get an accurate reading, if I drop the hydrometer in, it stick to the bottom. if i let it go, it does the same. from what i can tell, the most accurate reading i can get is 1.019, and the og was 1.052.

The problem is that it was my first batch, so i did not know enough to top it off to 5 gallons. so it is sitting at around 4.25 gallons.

 

[anthrobe]

its been over 10 days since fermentation began. I can not seem to get an accurate reading, if I drop the hydrometer in, it stick to the bottom. if i let it go, it does the same. from what i can tell, the most accurate reading i can get is 1.019, and the og was 1.052.

The problem is that it was my first batch, so i did not know enough to top it off to 5 gallons. so it is sitting at around 4.25 gallons.

What are you putting your hydrometer into. If you are using a sample tube and it is hitting the bottom then you will need to get one that is taller and holds more liquid. If you are putting it in your bucket and it goes down, well I would get a new hydrometer. If you are getting a reading of 1.019 and it is on the bottom, at least you know that it is below that

 

[ArroganceFan]

I tried putting my hydrometer into the autosyphon, but i dont feel like i got an accurate reading. I was putting it into the bucket. I feel like i was not getting an accurate reading because I didn't top off to 5 gal.

 

[Phan71]

I tried putting my hydrometer into the autosyphon, but i dont feel like i got an accurate reading. I was putting it into the bucket. I feel like i was not getting an accurate reading because I didn't top off to 5 gal.

That wouldn't effect the "accuracy" of the reading of the hydrometer, it just means that the OG (and probably FG) would be a bit higher than what the recipe called for. Whatever the reading is, that's what it is.

 

[ArroganceFan]

how the hell are you supposed to keep a plug in the carboy? mine keeps working its way up. it will not stay down....any ideas?

 

[DeathBrewer]

smaller plug? i like these guys:

http://morebeer.com/view_product/16655/

 

[ArroganceFan]

smaller plug? i like these guys:

http://morebeer.com/view_product/16655/

its one that fits, but just keeps sliding up....it was an AHB universal one...i think if it was dry it would stay in place, but its not, and i dont know how to make it dry and still 'sanitary'

 

[DeathBrewer]

in my experience, it will only not stay if its the wrong size. the universal one i posted will always work, even when wet. i have never had a problem with it, not once. sorry

 

[ArroganceFan]

that is the exact one that i have. it will not stay all the way down, but it comes to the point of almost coming out...its right on that edge.

 

[DeathBrewer]

hrmmm....you're not having the best of luck today.

duct tape? what size carboy is it?

 

[Phan71]

I use the Universal Carboy Cap, like at the bottom of this page:

http://www.homebrewery.com/beer/beer-airlocks-stoppers.shtml

Don't have to worry about it coming out. (Although, I've read that they can be "loose" sometime, mine fits like perfectly.)

 

[ArroganceFan]

just used duct tape to keep it in place....i am sure it will be fine...or at least i am drunk enough to think it will be. lol :rockin:

 

[ArroganceFan]

Sorry to bug you guys again, but how to I get the IPA smell out of my primary?

 

[Phan71]

Try a little bit of regular bleach in water. Just fill it up and let it sit over night.

Some guys use Oxy-Clean, but the bleach has worked for me to get that smell out (not to mention the staining).

 

[brewt00l]

Sorry to bug you guys again, but how to I get the IPA smell out of my primary?

brew something else!

 

[ArroganceFan]

Try a little bit of regular bleach in water. Just fill it up and let it sit over night.

Some guys use Oxy-Clean, but the bleach has worked for me to get that smell out (not to mention the staining).

What dilution ratio do you use?

brewt00l

Its in the works, the problem is I already have 3 batches fermenting, and no kegs to put them in yet....its a rough problem to have...I am trying to find a good deal on them.

 

[ArroganceFan]

Will starsan get the smell out?

 

[Yooper]

I don't know if starsan will get the smell out- but oxyclean will. I've soaked my stinky primary in bleach water (just a little bleach) and then rinsed and rinsed and rinsed. And it was like brand new. Any of them should work ok.