When to keg?

[Britinusa]

I know the subject of no second fermentation has been discussed on here a lot, I am brewing an American IPA its had 2 weeks in primary and last night a racked it to secondary, the instructions say it needs 3 weeks in secondary and then 2 weeks in keg or bottles.
What is the general opinion on this, can I cold crash it and keg it sooner>
Will I effect the final finish?
I'm not trying to rush it here just trying to learn what changes i can make to the process.

 

[Gunfighter04]

Let fermentation and to a certain extent clarity determine when to move your beer. Different yeasts and factors will determine when to move. Primary length should be based on when the fermentation is complete. Three days of no gravity change is a good rule of thumb. Secondary is an option chosen by many who like clarify further, so when the clarity is to your choosing, and the trub has compacted along the bottom, then rack off to a keg or bottle.

I know we all like to schedule these items, but honestly the beer will move at it's own schedule, not ours

 

[BeerWorm]

No need for secondary in my opinion, especially if kegging-unless it's a barley wine or other 8% + abv beer. Cold crash primary for 24-48 hrs once you are sure ferment is complete and once yeast has dropped rack sucka to a keg to condition and carb! Much easier and less chance of transfer oxidation/contamination.

 

[Britinusa]

Thanks for the replies, just took a gravity reading comes out at 1.023 it was 1.024 a week ago.
Once i keg it and force card for a couple of days does it still need to sit?
This is my 4th brew and my first kegging.

 

[Gunfighter04]

Keg it. Put it in the the fridge under CO2, and let it sit for 2 weeks. It'll clarify some, carb and be ready. And if your anything like the rest of us, you'll be lucky to make it to 2 weeks before trying it.

 

[Ondori]

Keg it. Put it in the the fridge under CO2, and let it sit for 2 weeks. It'll clarify some, carb and be ready. And if your anything like the rest of us, you'll be lucky to make it to 2 weeks before trying it.

I only lasted 4 days

The temptation was just too much

 

[Britinusa]

Thanks guys, kegged it put it in the fridge with 10psi on it, I have a case of Sam Adams to try to keep me away from the keg, but then How will I know when its ready unless I take "samples"

 

[Britinusa]

I just drew a sample to see how the carving is going

 

[Britinusa]

Sorry stupid iPhone sent before I was done.

Meant to say just drew a sample to test carbonation there is very little carbonation and the beer tastes very metallic?