Ready to bottle?

[Sone]

Started my first kit 2 weeks ago now (it's only a geordie lager kit), it's been at 1.010 for about 6-7 days now. The instructions say wait until 0.005 then bottle but will it be ok to bottle now? Biggest reason I'm asking is because I'm using glass bottles so don't want them exploding!

I understand the same readings over 2-3 days means it's as good as ready but if I snap the lid completely closed on the fermenter the lid starts to bulge after a few hours.

Thanks in advance :)

 

[ScottM]

Sounds like something is still going on to me.

No need to worry about bottle bombs, that won't happen unless the glass is damaged in some way :)

 

[Sone]

That's what I thought, anything I can do besides waiting as it doesn't seem to budge? It was fermenting very well after a couple of days so not sure if I've missed something!

 

[eggman]

:hmm: If it's reading 1.010 and it's been going 2 weeks then I would of said it's done. Might be worth checking the calibration of your hydrometer just in case you're getting a false reading. It should say on it somewhere what temperature it is calibrated to, most including mine are 20deg (but some are 15deg I believe) it should read 1.000 in water at 20deg
:

 

[ScottM]

That's what I thought, anything I can do besides waiting as it doesn't seem to budge? It was fermenting very well after a couple of days so not sure if I've missed something!

A gentle stir can often help, make sure the spoon/paddle you use is well sterilised though. After that I would give it another week and see where it is, if it still hasn't budged then I would go ahead with bottling :)

 

[ScottM]

:hmm: If it's reading 1.010 and it's been going 2 weeks then I would of said it's done. Might be worth checking the calibration of your hydrometer just in case you're getting a false reading. It should say on it somewhere what temperature it is calibrated to, most including mine are 20deg (but some are 15deg I believe) it should read 1.000 in water at 20deg
:

It's the bulging of the lid that's throwing me :)

 

[Sone]

:hmm: If it's reading 1.010 and it's been going 2 weeks then I would of said it's done. Might be worth checking the calibration of your hydrometer just in case you're getting a false reading. It should say on it somewhere what temperature it is calibrated to, most including mine are 20deg (but some are 15deg I believe) it should read 1.000 in water at 20deg
:

I'm measuring at the same time each day to stop fluctuations but next on my list was to calibrate my hydrometer but as ScottM says the bulging of the lid is really confusing me!

A gentle stir can often help, make sure the spoon/paddle you use is well sterilised though. After that I would give it another week and see where it is, if it still hasn't budged then I would go ahead with bottling :)

Thanks, maybe this is the best thing I can do for now, it doesn't help that I'm eager to start my 2nd brew!

 

[Brewedout]

Lid bulge may be due to dissolved carbon dioxide coming out of solution. If gravity constant, the bulge can't be fermentation. :thumb:

 

[eggman]

It's the bulging of the lid that's throwing me :)

Yeah same here :hmm: That's why I wondered about the hydrometer, as the reading says it's pretty much done but the bulging would suggest it's still fermenting :wha:

What fermentables did you use with the kit? If you used all sugar it's 100% fermentable and might well go down as low as 1.008 meaning it's not quite finished whereas if you used spraymalt or bke it's not 100% fermentable and will finish slightly higher.
Either way I would definitely check your hydrometer just in case, then follow Scotts good advice about stirring it.
:

 

[eggman]

Lid bulge may be due to dissolved carbon dioxide coming out of solution. If gravity constant, the bulge can't be fermentation. :thumb:

Sorry just seen your post, good advice :ugeek:

In that case double check your readings and if it's still the same after 2 days go ahead and bottle it :thumb:
:

 

[Sone]

Lid bulge may be due to dissolved carbon dioxide coming out of solution. If gravity constant, the bulge can't be fermentation. :thumb:

Interesting, thanks for that, I just assumed it would still be fermenting!

Yeah same here :hmm: That's why I wondered about the hydrometer, as the reading says it's pretty much done but the bulging would suggest it's still fermenting :wha:

What fermentables did you use with the kit? If you used all sugar it's 100% fermentable and might well go down as low as 1.008 meaning it's not quite finished whereas if you used spraymalt or bke it's not 100% fermentable and will finish slightly higher.
Either way I would definitely check your hydrometer just in case, then follow Scotts good advice about stirring it.
:

Ah, I used muntons beer kit enhancer, didn't realise it would make it finish higher. I will give it a double check tomorrow and then go ahead and bottle considering it's been this reading for a week now.

Thanks for all the replies :) Next brew is going to be a coopers real ale :

 

[eggman]

I will give it a double check tomorrow and then go ahead and bottle considering it's been this reading for a week now.

The extra week will work in your favour anyway as it will allow the yeast to clean up after itself and you'll have less sediment carried over when you bottle. I always leave mine in the fermenter for at least 10 days :thumb:
Good luck with the next brew :