Should I Rack Or Wait?

fords4life · Jul 27, 2014

Brewed a dunkelweisen last Sunday and planned to primary for 1 week then rack to secondary over 5lbs of bananas. The krausen has not fallen yet and I forgot to buy a new hydrometer since I broke mine last weekend. Should I wait a couple days to get a new hydrometer to verify FG, wait till the krausen falls, or go ahead and rack it to the secondary now?

b-boy · Jul 27, 2014

yes - wait.

Hello · Jul 27, 2014

Buy two hydrometers, wait for the krausen to fall, check gravity, wait for it to be stable, rack over bananas.

In that order.

fords4life · Jul 27, 2014

Hello said:
Buy two hydrometers, wait for the krausen to fall, check gravity, wait for it to be stable, rack over bananas.

In that order.

That's what I was thinking. My newbiness was worried about waiting too long to get on the bananas but the more I read the more I understand its always better to give it time.

Hello · Jul 28, 2014

fords4life said:
That's what I was thinking. My newbiness was worried about waiting too long to get on the bananas but the more I read the more I understand its always better to give it time.

Totally understand. The bananas impart flavor and will do so even after the yeast is finished working. The yeast will eat some of the sugars found in bananas so be sure to take gravity readings even after you rack over bananas. How are you treating the bananas? Are they soaking in vodka or are you doing something to ensure there isn't anything that can infect your beer? I've never used bananas for brewing.

fords4life · Jul 28, 2014

Hello said:
Totally understand. The bananas impart flavor and will do so even after the yeast is finished working. The yeast will eat some of the sugars found in bananas so be sure to take gravity readings even after you rack over bananas. How are you treating the bananas? Are they soaking in vodka or are you doing something to ensure there isn't anything that can infect your beer? I've never used bananas for brewing.

The skins were all sprayed with starsan along with the cutting board, knife and inside of a big vacuum seal bag. They were then peeled and sliced and vacuum sealed. They've been hanging out in the freezer for about 3 weeks now. They should be ok.