Transferring entire partly fermented wort

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by dolfin61, Apr 29, 2014.

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  1. dolfin61

    dolfin61 Initiate (0) May 13, 2010 Canada (BC)

    So I did a saison on the weekend and am using WLP565. Water bath is ready for it, but I was going to wait a few days for krausen drop before starting the temp ramp. The beer is currently in a 30L bucket fermentor with a spigot and is currently ~30hrs in with a nice krausen at 70-72F.

    I had intended to use my 5gal Better Bottle, but realized too late that my volume was a bit high - this was after nearly filling the BB but before pitching. So, I had to instead use the bucket fermentor. With the spigot (2 rubber gaskets), I'm concerned that putting it in the water bath could lead to in-leakage to the beer through the spigot (though I've never had leaks from this fermentor).

    So, my question is - would it better to leave it in the bucket and risk the small potential of in-leakage OR should I transfer all ~5gal into the BB while the beer is only partially fermented. I would transfer everything, partial yeast cake and trub. Think that would stall the beer? WLP565 is already a bit finicky, but I was hoping to mitigate that with a nice warm ramp up to mid-80s or 90F.

    Trevor
     
    #1 dolfin61, Apr 29, 2014
  2. Seacoastbrewer

    Seacoastbrewer Initiate (0) Jun 5, 2012 New Hampshire

    My buckets with spigots (bottling buckets) have always leaked a little, so I've never fermented in them. I would also be concerned with water leaking in as well. I'm guessing you are using the water bath with an aquarium heater of some sort? Coupled with a temperature controller?

    I recommend getting a heat blanket from your local so you can wrap it around the outside of your bucket and avoid the potential infection.

    You might be fine though, I understand not every bottling bucket leaks.
     
    #2 Seacoastbrewer, Apr 29, 2014
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  3. hoptualBrew

    hoptualBrew Initiate (0) May 29, 2011 Florida

    +1 to heat blanket.

    Leak-in sounds like the quickest way possible to spoil your beer.

    Just trans to better bottle. The added oxygenation & yeast rousing will likely solve any attenuation problems your having... this would actually do the opposite of stall any fermentation.
     
    #3 hoptualBrew, Apr 30, 2014
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