Not sure about the title, feeling creative I guess... So what about using a wine type still where you re-siphon a few times? So instead of just using a secondary you re-siphon a few times into another sterile carboy? I just racked my kit and noticed it has a half inch or so of trub in the bottom already, so what would happen if I re-rack say in a week or so into another carboy? Maybe even do this a few times before I bottle? Not sure I understand why this done in wine and does not seem to be the case with beer...
The more times you rack the more oxygen you introduce into the beer. I wouldn't recommend I personally. Also, if you're racking properly there shouldn't be 1/2 inch of sediment in the bottom of your secondary. You're either racking too early or you're using poor siphoning technique.
I have a feeling I know the cause on this one... I have the primary on the ground and could not get a good siphon going so I moved it down the hall and one a table about 40 feet away so I am sure it was sloshed around some even though I was "careful"...
So here is another question then, you think I should re-rack this or just leave it alone until time to bottle?
I've been moving the bucket into the kitchen and onto the countertop the night before, giving it time to settle before I rack to the bottling carboy. Seems to be working quite well.
Just leave it alone. Sometimes the best thing you can do for your beer is to quit thinking about what you can do for your beer.
Amen brutha. I think OP is/was planning on extended bulk aging in secondary (big RIS or something?). At this point, I think I would just give the yeast enough time to clean up, bottle, and age in the bottle.
True I was going to add some fruit also.. but decided not to and just leave it alone. I moved it to rack it but did not wait, and siphoned it right away. Its in the closet now and will not be touched for about two weeks... Thanks everyone for the suggestions.
Is it elevated in the closet, so that you can rack from there? If not, when you move it you will undo much of what time and gravity have done during those two weeks. IMO moving a day before racking (i.e. giving it one day to resettle) won't be ideal. I'd put it on a table now, cover with a black trash bag or a cardboard box, and then bottle whenever you're ready.
I can bottle with it now without moving it.... The primary was in a different place and on the floor so I could not get a good siphon.. So I moved it and did not wait 24 hours for it to settle again (which was a learning curve on my end but have been schooled by the many BA's on here now as to best practices going forward ) Now secondary is in a place I can bottle it, well at least re-rack (and elevated) into the bottling bucket which I will carry away. Only problem is I want a food grade pump now so I don't have to worry about elevation and can rack from any place I pick!
