Took off airlock to check.

[WeretheBrews]

I took my airlock out to check for fermentation. There is a big brown ring all along the top, and krausen. This wont' effect anything will it?

 

[EvilTOJ]

That's normal, it's supposed to look like that. Relax. Don't worry.

 

[WeretheBrews]

too late. I just racked! It smells pretty good, and cleared up alot. Krausen was totally gone. I think it just fermented really quick, maybe alot of un-fermentable sugars. How long should I leave in secondary?

 

[todd_k]

What kind of beer is it? Some people stick to the 1-2-3 rule, 1 week primary, 2 weeks secondary, 3 weeks bottle but it really depends on what you are making.

If you haven't already done so, pick up Papazian's Complete Joy of Homebrewing 3rd Edition. You can get it for around $10 on Amazon or Buy.com

 

[WeretheBrews]

Its a honey porter, extract kit from midwest supplies. How long should I leave in secondary since i switched after 4 days? 2 weeks still?

 

[Lounge Lizard]

I took my airlock out to check for fermentation. There is a big brown ring all along the top, and krausen. This wont' effect anything will it?

Glad to hear that your equipment arrived and that you are in the ball game.

The **** around the top is normal and is proof that you made beer..

I would do two weeks in the secondary. Your patience will be rewarded.

Now, order another beer kit. By the time it arrives, your brew in the secondary should be in there about a week. By the time your second batch is ready for the secondary, it will be time to bottle the first batch...

 

[clayof2day]

Also, do you have a hydrometer? Not necessary, some like 'em, some hate 'em, but if you had an idea of your final gravity that could clue you in to how many unfermentalbes where in there (i.e. if fermentation is complete and FG is higher than expected you probably had more unfermentables)

 

[Monster Mash]

I always check the gravity before racking. You want to be sure it is finished before you remove it from the yeast.

 

[NEPABREWER]

what happens if you remove it from the yeast too early

 

[Bernie Brewer]

what happens if you remove it from the yeast too early

Nothing- there is still yeast in suspension and the beer will continue to ferment after you rack to secondary.