Split Secondary Fermentation

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by Viclovescourtney, Aug 26, 2016.

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  1. Viclovescourtney

    Viclovescourtney Initiate (0) Apr 27, 2016 Florida

    I'm new to homebrewing (5 extract batches under my belt) but on my last couple brews decided to customize the recipe kit to my liking. I brewed the northern brewer grapefruit sculpin clone five gallon kit just over a week ago. It is currently in a plastic bucket and about completed primary fermentation.

    I'm wondering if it would be possible to rack this to two separate 3.5 gallon buckets to treat with different citrus and dry hop additions for comparisons. Any input would be greatly appreciated as I'm just gaining the confidence to tinker before moving on to all grain batches. Cheers!
     
    #1 Viclovescourtney, Aug 26, 2016
  2. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,067) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    2.5 gallons in a 3.5 gallon bucket is really too much headspace for a secondary. You should have as little headspace as possible, to minimize O2 absorption. Also, plastic buckets don't make great secondary vessels, for the same reason (O2).

    But by citrus, do you mean actual fruit? If so, you do need some headspace, because the sugar in the fruit will ferment.
     
    #2 VikeMan, Aug 26, 2016
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  3. Viclovescourtney

    Viclovescourtney Initiate (0) Apr 27, 2016 Florida

    Thanks for the input. I was concerned about headspace as well as the plastic bucket. The problem is I only have one 5 gallon glass carboy that I just put another batch into. Would 3 weeks in plastic primary be too long? I'll be bottling next weekend and can rack from plastic bucket to 5 gallon carboy after that. I'm concerned about any negative effects from leaving the beer on yeast cake on plastic bucket for an extended period of time.

    Again, thanks for any information. I'm trying not to make any obvious mistakes. It's all a fun learning process.
     
    #3 Viclovescourtney, Aug 26, 2016
  4. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,067) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    Probably not. And it would definitely be preferable to having a large secondary headspace.
     
    #4 VikeMan, Aug 26, 2016
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  5. Viclovescourtney

    Viclovescourtney Initiate (0) Apr 27, 2016 Florida

    OK so if I DH batch one on Sunday and bottle next weekend it would actually be 17 days in primary which should be fine. I need to rdwhah. Cheers!
     
    #5 Viclovescourtney, Aug 26, 2016
  6. inchrisin

    inchrisin Pooh-Bah (2,013) Sep 25, 2008 Indiana
    Pooh-Bah

    You could buy a bunch of aquarium glass rocks or marbles. It'll be a PITA to clean up, but they are effective at filling head space.
     
    #6 inchrisin, Aug 29, 2016
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