Bulk conditioning.

[Kyle_T]

It's me again,

I looked for a 'How to' guide but couldn't find one and I've been reading through the search as much as possible on bulk conditioning but I have now been thinking of trying it myself, so, I have a few questions.

1. Is this with an airlock a suitable second fermenter? http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/home-brewi ... 78ff7ea3cf

2. What is the general procedure for transfering, just syphon it?

3. Does it need to be primed or left unprimed to condition and when transfered to the Keg after conditioning, primed as normal?

4. If left unprimed will it still produce CO2 to protect the brew?

5. Is it going to go flat with the airlock letting any produced CO2 out if unprimed?

Advice on this would be much appreciated as I shall possibly turn this into my bottling FV or leave it for bulk conditioning for Keg transferal when one runs empty.

 

[jonnymorris]

I'm not experienced in bulk conditioning and think you might be beter off conditioning in the bottle/barrel but, in answer to your questions...

1. Looks OK to me.
2. Yes. Try to avoid splashing.
3. You normally only prime when you finally come to bottle though I suppose you could to help with #4 below.
4. If it's stopped fermenting, no.
5. It'll only carbonate once primed and bottled. It can't go any more flat than it already is.

 

[mmaguy41]

Some people add a very small amount of sugar to the secondary just to put a blanket of co2 on it, i dont secondary anymore after a couple of infections. I generally just leave the beer in the fv for 2 weeks then keg now.

 

[Kyle_T]

Hmm,

I ask because I have a stout kit calling to be made after my bitter, but, I have only 2 barrels, both of which will be full, the kit recommends 2 and a half months to condition minimum, if I can bulk condition it in a second fermeter, by the time it is ready I will be able to Keg it as I don't have enough bottles to bottle a full brew yet. I am also hesitant about it as it is unknown territory for me and I don't want 20 litres of stout going to waste.

 

[JohnStone]

You could always borrow a barrel if you know someone who has an empty :whistle:

 

[Kyle_T]

Hmm,

If this said person is the person I'm thinking of, that barrel is accounted for TST.

 

[JohnStone]

The Broomfield Black will be quaffed long before then don't you worry

 

[mmaguy41]

Id worry about leaving it that long in secondary, id start saving bottles mate its always good to have some put away for a rainy day when the barrels are dry