FGV still not ready

[dfloguey]

Ok quick query I hope someone can help me with.

I took my first reading and it was at the normal level so I left it as instructed for the 6 days. I checked the level on friday (which was the 6th) and it wasn't at the level that the hydrometer says it needs to be. So I left it another day but it still isn't there today.

Do I keep leaving it until it's at the bottling level? I'm just a bit worried because I've heard that leaving too long at primary fermentation stage can ruin it!

(P.s. this is my first brew so forgive the lack of knowledge!)

Thanks for any help!

 

[Niman]

what u brewing?

 

[ManseMasher]

Leave it, check it with the hydrometer every couple of days. When you get the same reading twice (it has stopped fermenting), then you are ready for the next stage. Beer can stay in the primary for weeks without being ruined - no worries on that score....

 

[dfloguey]

I'm brewing a wheat beer using a coopers kit.

Ok I'll keep the checks going then.

Thanks!

 

[Racinsnake]

I wouldn't lift the lid for another week, take a hydro reading then, it might be close depending on your temps.

 

[Sandimas]

Ignore all instruction and leave all brews a minimum of 14 days, ideally 14-21 days, then do a hydrometer test. Longer is better, bottle too soon and you will have exploding bottles.

 

[dfloguey]

ok will do! I took another reading today (before seeing these replies) and it has moved closer to the bottling gv. I'll leave it until thurs and measure on thurs and fri and see if it's steady. tasted the sample and it's really good! just flat of course haha

 

[dfloguey]

Not sure if people can still see this?

Tested again today (20th) and still not quite there!!

Do I leave it? It's been 15 days and the instructions say 6!!!

 

[DanST]

Has the gravity dropped any further?

Don't worry about what the instructions say too much. 6days is pretty optimistic and you won't do any harm by leaving it longer. I think most people on here give it at least 10days in the fv. Personally I set up a kit and as long as it's showing signs of fermentation after a day or two just forget about it for 2 or 3 weeks before taking a gravity reading.

 

[FatDad]

Not sure if people can still see this?

Tested again today (20th) and still not quite there!!

Do I leave it? It's been 15 days and the instructions say 6!!!

Yes keep it in the FV and please don't worry about it - honestly. As long as the hydrometer reading are changing, no matter how slowly, it is still ok.

I kept my Cooper's kit in the FV for three weeks despite the 6 days stated on the instructions and it was fine when I bottled it, in fact it was wonderful when I bottled it.

The hydrometer is the best way of check if the brew is ready, from my experience and that of others the kits always seem to come with wildly optimistic instructions.

 

[dfloguey]

Ok been three weeks now. No change for the last week ish. Still ok...? I'm getting worried now

 

[ManseMasher]

Ok been three weeks now. No change for the last week ish. Still ok...? I'm getting worried now

No change as in hydrometer reading? What is it at?

 

[Covrich]

Yeah I agree with Manse what is the actual reading? what you have may be fine for bottling

 

[dfloguey]

Yeah hydrometer reading.

Umm I'm not sure exactly how to read it. There's a solid black line below the yellow area it says it needs to be in to bottle. It's hovering just in the black area below the yellow still

 

[dfloguey]

Actually it's literally on the border of the two colours

 

[ManseMasher]

The yellow normally has a thick black line through it that says 1.000, the bottom of the black segment (above the white part) is normally 1.010. Can you take a picture? It sounds like you've got somewhere between 1.010 and 1.006. It isn't going to get any lower, time to bottle!!

 

[ManseMasher]

Actually it's literally on the border of the two colours

Then it's closer to 1.006. Definitely ready to bottle!

 

[dfloguey]

Can you see this?

 

[ManseMasher]

Between 1.007 -1.008 I would say. Good to go, especially as it has been constant over a few days. Enjoy the next stage!

 

[dfloguey]

I'm worried I may have left it too long now! Been tasting each time I tried and may be starting to taste a little vinegar-y? Also the froth kind of thing in the FV has gone....?