racking

[m0cej]

is it worth racking beer for secondary fermantation????
just asking....

Tnx Daz

 

[winelight]

Secondary fermentation is what takes place in the bottle or pressure barrel. So I'm not sure what you're asking, sorry. Do you mean is it worth racking it before you bottle it?

 

[Bowl sprayer]

Hi Daz. I have had good results racking beer off and leaving it for a few weeks. It certainly won't harm the outcome but make sure everything is properly sterilised.
Some kits advise it. I found that by the time you bottle/keg it is already nicely cleared and the flavours have stared to improve/mature.
The process for an ale would be:
-Primary fermentation
-Rack off and let it sit for a few weeks
-Bottle/keg and prime to creates pressure/carbonation (secondary fermentation)
Bowl sprayer

 

[LeithR]

My approach is to put the initial batch into a bucket and at the end of phase 1 when the Krausen has settled rack it off into a barrel with an airlock - Occasionally I add a little more sugar, this gets the brew off the yeast cake - I generally recover yeast at this stage from the bucket - as long as your sterilizing procedures are good you will find that the brew will continue to work well and leaving it for fairly long periods (6 - 8 weeks maybe) under these conditions is not problematic, there is little possibility of infection. It also allows the yeast to clear up after itself and when you come to bottle you should find that the brew is nice and clear. I then prime and bottle in the usual way.