Transferring while fermenting.

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by MADhombrewer, Nov 1, 2012.

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  1. MADhombrewer

    MADhombrewer Initiate (0) Jun 4, 2008 Oregon

    Halloween brew session last night. I had a bit of a brain fart and grabbed my 5 gal carboy instead of a 6.5. The yeild was also more than I anticipated. The level of wort came to the middle of the neck of the carboy. It started bubbling this morning and I put a blow off tube on it and put it in the kitchen sink just in case. I need to get it out of the sink, though. I was thinking of transferring it to the 6.5 gal carboy after I get home from work. Is this a good idea?

    Thanks for any info.
     
    #1 MADhombrewer, Nov 1, 2012
  2. VikeMan

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

    I would be inclined to let it ride. But a gentle transfer this early on probably isn't going to hurt anything.
     
    #2 VikeMan, Nov 1, 2012
  3. jbakajust1

    jbakajust1 Pooh-Bah (2,552) Aug 25, 2009 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah

    I've racked off a half gallon or so into a gallon jug before this early in primary to no ill effects. Yeast are still probably taking up O2 so any that gets in there shouldn't hurt, but the longer you wait the more you chance it. If you have gallon jugs you may just want to move some into there with an auto syphon, then you may only lose 3/4 gallon of beer if something goes wrong, which you'll probably lose through blowoff anyways, but with less mess.
     
    #3 jbakajust1, Nov 1, 2012
  4. DrinkSlurm

    DrinkSlurm Initiate (0) Oct 3, 2007 New York

    I agree...the yeast is thriving on O2 right now...who knows, you may even give them a boost! Id say you have about 48hrs after pitching, max!..then you probably have to leave it be. But it may be a cool idea to just transfer 1 gallon - then you can do something different with that gallon. Not sure what type of brew you have, but you could do a bourbon or wine aged affect with wood, or try pitching brett in a secondary, dry hop, possibilities are endless.

    Im just not sure if transferring a "section" of your brew would alter the remaining liquid - what if you transfer a disproportioned amount of yeast leaving not enough for the remaining large amount of liquid?...just a thought
     
    #4 DrinkSlurm, Nov 1, 2012
  5. MADhombrewer

    MADhombrewer Initiate (0) Jun 4, 2008 Oregon

    This is what I was thinking as well. I think I will just do the whole thing or none at all. I will see what it looks like when I get home. Thanks for the help.
     
    #5 MADhombrewer, Nov 1, 2012
  6. castillo83

    castillo83 Initiate (0) Jan 16, 2009 California

    I agree with DrinkSlurm, with 1 gallon off your carboy, or even just 1/2 gallon off, you could avoid loosing beer from your fermenter. Then if you leave all things equal you can figure out if a little more oxygen during the first hours after the fermentation has started bubbling is good or detrimental by comparing both side by side.
     
    #6 castillo83, Nov 1, 2012
  7. yinzer

    yinzer Initiate (0) Nov 24, 2006 Pennsylvania

    I would also do the whole thing. With the level being so high you'll be spitting out a lot of the good yeast.

    And I agree with DrinkSlurm, aeration is cumulative. You can add more during the initial phase with no issues. If you feel that you don't want to add any O2 in purge the carboy with CO2.
     
    #7 yinzer, Nov 1, 2012
  8. DrinkSlurm

    DrinkSlurm Initiate (0) Oct 3, 2007 New York

    Good luck MADhomebrewer!...although it may be difficult, dont loose too much sleep! The yeast are strong little guys. The first 48hrs seem to be the toughest for a homebrewer...and according to A&E, for police enforcement as well.
     
    #8 DrinkSlurm, Nov 1, 2012
    MADhombrewer likes this.
  9. MADhombrewer

    MADhombrewer Initiate (0) Jun 4, 2008 Oregon

    The aeration is the other thing. Because the level was so high I couldn't get any agitation without a lot of wort getting all over me. If I do transfer it will add the oxygen I may or may not be missing and I get it into a bigger vessel.
     
    #9 MADhombrewer, Nov 1, 2012
    jbakajust1 likes this.
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