Soda Bottle as secondary?

[VonAle]

Im looking forward to bottle my first batch this coming weekend. It will be in the primary for 12 days by then, when I rack to the bottling bucket.

Just curious about an idea stuck in my head.

Would it be feasible to rack a portion of the brew into a soda bottle and hold to further clarify and age and then bottle at some time down the road ? The priming sugar would need to be cut back on the bottled batch of course. The soda bottle could go into the fidge or in a back room closet.

What do you think ?

 

[Dome555]

The plastic would let oxygen in which is a definite no no, especially if you're trying to let it sit for a while. I'm not sure what benefits you're expecting out of a soda bottle that you wouldn't get out of aging in the glass bottles you're bottling in.

I also feel obligated to suggest that you give it more time in the primary, like another week if not two. This will help clear, and more importantly prevent exploded bottles. I know waiting sucks, particularly on first batches, but it pays off.

 

[VonAle]

Ok , I'll forget about the plastic soda bottles.

I appreciate your suggestion to longer ferment in the primary. I've read enough to conclude that on all of my future batches, I will leave it in the primary for 3-4 weeks minimum.

My progress on this batch however, is being monitored by my LHBS rep. He has already blasphemer'd me for leaving it in too long. He insists that I bottle ASAP and follow the directions. He reasons that beginners should first learn how to make a basic brew by number kit, and experience some success and basic knowledge before going custom.

It's a challenge to interpret the differences in opinion between the LHBS and the brewers on this and other forums.

 

[unionrdr]

Tell him to come on here & hear the truth. He sounds like he needs an attitude adjustment. Brewing is like good pit bbq,it's done when it's done!