Racking and bulk priming?

[Tassie b€rew]

Hey guys just another couple of questions in regards to racking and bulk priming.

1. How exactly do you rack and bulk prime effectively?

2. Is it worth the time racking and bulk priming and what are the positive effects?

I was thinking about trying both but I didn't want to muck up my brew in doing so. If the benefits are worthwhile and I know exactly what to do I'll give it a go.

I appreciate everybody's help with this forum.

Cheers

[Simo]

answered plenty of times, run a search.

http://www.homebrewandbeer.com/forum/vi ... ht=racking
http://www.homebrewandbeer.com/forum/vi ... ht=racking
http://www.homebrewandbeer.com/forum/vi ... ht=racking
http://www.homebrewandbeer.com/forum/vi ... php?t=1005


IMO bulk priming is definantly worth the little effort it takes. Uniform carbonation, easy to do and less fidling about.
I also rack almost all of my beer to get a clearer, nicer drinking beer.

[shane_vor]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^What he said! Well worth the effort!^^^^^^^

[Tassie b€rew]

Hey guys, is it ok to rack and not bulk prime. I'm fairly new to brewing and I was thinking of racking just so I could get a better beer but priming bottles doesn't really bother me.
Also, does exposing the brew to the air when racking increase the chances of ruining/infecting the brew??

Just curious...

[Simo]

Hey guys, is it ok to rack and not bulk prime.

yes

Also, does exposing the brew to the air when racking increase the chances of ruining/infecting the brew??

no (well not enough to worry about).

[Tassie b€rew]

Thanks...

Can you rack anytime after fermentation or does it need to be done exactly after fermentation???

How long would I need to leave the brew in the secondary fermenter after racking before I bottle it???

Cheers

[Aussie Claret]

Tassie,
When you rack, try to eliminate exposing the beer to oxygen as much as possible, during transfer ensure that the beer flows and fills the racking tube and doesn splutter or splash (as the beer is flowing pinch the tube for a few seconds then release, which helps fill the racking tube), whilst there is some risk to infection when exposing to oxygen the biggest factor which you want to avoid is areating the beer which can lead to off flavour developing. The off flavours I believe are card board like.

I general rack when fermentation is almost but not fully completed, this is so that fermentation can finish in the secondary and a CO2 layer covers the top of the beer also preventing or reducing possible infection.

After racking you should leave for a few weeks, minimum to help clear the beer. If you don't or can't leave the beer for two weeks then there is not reason to rack in the first place. After racking and when fermentation is finished I generally cold condition in the fridge, which also helps any suspended yeast etc, to drop out of suspension.

Cheers
AC

[Shaun]

All of the above on racking well worth the effort.

Bulk priming not worth the effort and a wast of time.

[ex0ja]

Bulk priming not worth the effort and a wast of time.

Since all my bottles are differant sizes, bulk priming is definitley worth it. If all my bottles were the same size I would probably prefer to measure out each one individually.

[Beerpig]

Interestingly, John Palmer in the latest version of his book advises against racking ales

I knew that one day my laziness would be vindicated

Cheers

[HopsAlot]

Bulk priming - I bulk primed my last two batches and the carbonation was inconsistent - some were fiz bombs, others had little if any carbonation - I did stir it to the risk of putting air in the beer. My next two batches will not be bulk primed - (I am brewing my 6th batch so still a novice - my wife said putting hot sugar water in a cool solution could cause sugar to crystalize? - maybe this was my problem). In any case 7 grams sugar per liter seemed to produce the right amount of fiz for me (coopers lagers). Just my .00002 cents worth

[Tassie b€rew]

Can anybody tell me where you can get a suitable hose from, that I could rack with???? and how long would it need to be????

Cheers

[PaulP]

Bought my rack tube from Bunnings Warehouse.cost about $3.00
I have bulked primed with dextrose for the past 3 yrs and have
found it to be great.I don;t mix by hand ,I just let the racking motion
mix the detrose mix.I usually mix between 150 to 180 grams of dex
with 300ml of boiled water depending on the type of beer.