Tasting and taking gravity readings

[mm55]

How often should I take gravity readings? I'm using a Pilsner kit which recommends a primary fermentation of 3-5 days. Should I start taking readings around the 3-5 days or should I start sooner?

What do I do with the foam on the top when I'm taking a sample? should I just stick the thief in through it?

How soon should or could I start tasting? Obviously it's not good to keep opening up the lid as it increases the chances of infection, but is it advisable to taste regularly? Are you even supposed to taste it while it's fermenting?

Thanks in advance!

 

[the_trout]

18 days with the intention to bottle at 21 days. Here's the thing, fermentation may be done after 5 days but the yeast will continue to improve your beer if you let them. After they are done eating sugars out of your wort they move on to other things that will cause off flavors on your beer such as the byproducts of their reproduction and other waste materials. I never go less than 3 weeks in primary and sometimes more depending on the brew.

 

[Yooper]

If there is still foam on top (krausen), then the beer simply isn't ready to be moved. Wait until the krausen falls back into the beer before doing anything.

 

[rustym]

This^^^

Be patient!!! Your beer will reward you.

 

[mm55]

So, instead of 5 days in primary and then 14 in secondary and another 14 bottled, you'd advise 18 days in primary and then how long in secondary?

I've read that secondary isn't necessary, but I'm confused since the instructions in the kit mention secondary.

 

[norsk]

14 to 21 days in the primary and then off to bottling for the majority of beers works fine. No need to secondary unless you add fruit, and then it's optional...

 

[duboman]

So, instead of 5 days in primary and then 14 in secondary and another 14 bottled, you'd advise 18 days in primary and then how long in secondary?

I've read that secondary isn't necessary, but I'm confused since the instructions in the kit mention secondary.

Step 1: throw out instructions
Step 2: forget calendar days-yeast do not work by calendar
Step 4: RDWHAHB!

Wait until the krausen drops, then take your fist reading and see where it's at. If its at FG then give it another week or two and then package.

 

[the_trout]

There is no need to secondary. You can if you'd like. It will help clear your beer. Your beer will clear even if you don't though. I feel like all I get is another chance for something to go wrong. 21 days in primary, 21 days in the bottle. Adding more time to either of these will get you better beer.

 

[mm55]

Ok, sounds like a good plan. What shall I do with the dextrose they gave me? Put a tsp in each bottle when I'm bottling from primary?

 

[Yooper]

Ok, sounds like a good plan. What shall I do with the dextrose they gave me? Put a tsp in each bottle when I'm bottling from primary?

You can dissolve the sugar in 2 cups of water, and pour it into the bottling bucket and then rack the beer into the bottling bucket and bottle from there.

 

[mm55]

Thanks for the useful tips guys but I don't think anyone actually answered my questions, we got sidetracked onto primary vs. secondary.

Here they are again:
- How often should I take gravity readings? and when should I start? I week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks etc.
- What do I do with the foam on the top when I'm taking a sample? should I just stick the thief in through it?
- How soon should or could I start tasting? Obviously it's not good to keep opening up the lid as it increases the chances of infection, but is it advisable to taste regularly? Are you even supposed to taste it while it's fermenting?

 

[RM-MN]

1. I only take one gravity reading when I think the beer is ready to bottle. That may be 2 weeks or 4 weeks or even more for some beers. The software I use predicts the FG and if my beer is above that I wait.
2. If there is foam on the top the beer usually isn't ready to be tested. Don't try to rush the yeast.
3. When I take my hydrometer sample I drink it. Never put it back into the fermenter. Never sample until the fermentation is done. No rush, beer is ready to drink when it is ready to drink. Be patient. If you can't be patient, buy another fermenter and make a new batch.

 

[mm55]

Ok, that helps alot. Thanks for the clarification

I'm in no rush, was just unsure when the appropriate times are to do the appropriate things.