Oxidation in 2nd FV

[alanywiseman.]

I have started transfering my brewed beer into a 2nd FV to let it clear more before bottling. I understand that oxidation of a beer is bad news and adds off flavours. This is prevented in the primary by the CO2 barrier above the beer, created by the fermentation. Once your beer is transfered into the 2nd FV to clear that barrier is no longer there and CO2 should not be produced as fermentation should be over by this point.

So what prevents the beer from oxidising? Or does the beer oxidise slightly but due to the small surface area in contact with the air it does not produce a noticable difference in the taste of the beer?

 

[artyb]

as far as im aware,
[and this is what i have done once or twice] when you transfer to a 2nd fv,
the beer is still fermenting and will still be producing co2,
transfer should take place a few days into the fermentation,rather than weeks into it,

it can be avoided by not moving the beer, from the fv for 2-3 weeks then straight into a keg or bottles.. which is what i do :thumb:

 

[graysalchemy]

As above the beer is still active and some co2 is still being produced. More importantly oxidation occurs when air is introduced into the beer ie by allowing it to slop around during transfere.

I transfere between fvs a lot and don't have a problem.

:thumb:

 

[Darcey]

As CO2 is heavier than air in theory if your 1st FV has a tap (and you have racked the liquid level so its below the tap). Carefully 'pour' the co2 by the tap from the FV if you placed it directly above your secondary? You will have no idea if its working however but the CO2 will still be in the primary.

I am lucky and have a Co2 cylinder so I can purge my vessels / kegs.

D

 

[alanywiseman.]

Sadly I dont have a tap on any of my FVs yet but am looking to fix that soon.

Thanks a lot for the help. That makes a lot more sense and I will transfer my beer earlier in the future.

 

[anthonyUK]

When you transfer (rack) use a tube even if you have to fit it to the tap.
Ensure the tube in the 2nd FV sits on the bottom so it is covered with liquid pretty quick.
This ensures as little air (read oxygen) is absorbed during the transfer.
The CO2 will soon form a layer over the top so don't worry.
The benefits of racking far outweigh the slight risk of oxidation IMO.

BTW - I only have a tap on the FV I use if bottling as it accepts a little bottler.
All other I just syphon.

 

[alanywiseman.]

I have a long tube that is able to reach the bottom of both of my buckets so i currently follow you prescribed method anthony. The tap i am looking to attch is for a little bottler, I desperatly need one.

In your opinion then would there be a point in racking a beer that has finished fermenting? or should i just leave it in the primary for another week then bottle? (or bottle asap?)

 

[eggman]

If it's finished fermenting i'd leave it somewhere cool for a couple of days and just bottle it. Next time if you want to rack off i would do it after a week :

 

[Double_Maxim]

If it's finished fermenting i'd leave it somewhere cool for a couple of days and just bottle it. Next time if you want to rack off i would do it after a week :

regards my thread that you answered before and my stalled ferment which has just been stirred... if the ferment doesn't kick back off how long do I have to find out before I really oxidise my beer?? I'm scared now :cry:

 

[eggman]

If it's finished fermenting i'd leave it somewhere cool for a couple of days and just bottle it. Next time if you want to rack off i would do it after a week :

regards my thread that you answered before and my stalled ferment which has just been stirred... if the ferment doesn't kick back off how long do I have to find out before I really oxidise my beer?? I'm scared now :cry:

Don't panic mate it'll be fine :thumb:

 

[anthonyUK]

I have a long tube that is able to reach the bottom of both of my buckets so i currently follow you prescribed method anthony. The tap i am looking to attch is for a little bottler, I desperatly need one.

In your opinion then would there be a point in racking a beer that has finished fermenting? or should i just leave it in the primary for another week then bottle? (or bottle asap?)

It depends on what results you are happy with.

I'm still trying different techniques. I currently tend to ferment for 4-5 days, add hops for another week, rack, crash cool for a couple of days then bottle/keg.

 

[alanywiseman.]

Cheers for all the advice. I will move it to a cool place and hopefully bottle it on Sunday provided I can find some more bottles before then :hmm: