Seconday fermentation questions

[Wilson1983]

Hi,

I plan to put my beer through a secondary fermentation stage. I do not have a carboy, only a standard fermentation bucket. Would this be a problem? Oxidation?

And, is there enough yeast after doing a secondary fermentation (about one week) to bottle the beer and get acceptable carbonation?

Thanks for helping out a newbee.

 

[fartinmartin]

If you insist on doing a secondary , that's ok, the vessel dose not matter, no bubbles during the transfer and it's fine.
There will be plenty of yeast for carbing.
A week in primary, a week in secondary it may be ready for bottling, but I go an extra week and support that decision with stable gravity readings.

 

[whiskeyjack]

You don't have to secondary if you don't want to. I generally do 2-3 weeks in the primary and then bottle. Secondary is good for beers/wines that will age for a long time and don't want the brew sitting on trube for 6+ months.

 

[LesIsMore]

Personally, I would leave it where it is and transfer from the primary to the bottling bucket.
If you do want to secondary though, just be mindful of how much headspace there would be. Too much can lead to oxidation and off flavors and you could potentially be worse off. Either way, there should be enough yeast for carbonation.

 

[Wilson1983]

Thanks!

Just heard that you could get more clear beer if you do a second for about a week before bottling.

 

[whiskeyjack]

Irish moss or whirlfloc tablets help drop every thing out of a beer. Transferring to early can be harmful if the beer is not done fermenting all the way and can cause stuck fermentation. Also there is a chance to introduce infections and oxygen to the beer. IMO secondary is not necessary because you get just as clear beer leaving it in the primary for 2-4 weeks letting every thing settle and just be careful when you transfer to leave all the trube behind. The pro's of leaving it in primary out way the pro's of a secondary, if there are any at all.

 

[Wilson1983]

Thanks,

Last question. How long can i leave it before the yeast starts to die?

 

[RM-MN]

Thanks,

Last question. How long can i leave it before the yeast starts to die?

I've chatted with a guy who left his beer on the yeast cake for 8 months. He said that that wasn't too long. I've been a bit more conservative and only gone 9 weeks at the longest.

 

[Talgrath]

Thanks!

Just heard that you could get more clear beer if you do a second for about a week before bottling.

Total nonsense, FYI.