Racking

yamaroo · Post by **yamaroo** » Thursday Jul 06, 2006 12:29 pm

Hello i am a bit confused about racking I have read lots about it and understand why you do it.
I would like to do a pilsner and from what I have read a pilsner will benefit from racking
What I would like to know is when do I rack,
Do I add anything at this time or will it continue to ferment.

Thanks Nicol

Duane · Post by **Duane** » Thursday Jul 06, 2006 12:53 pm

what I do for lagers/pilsners is ferment in primary for 14 days at lager temps then bring back up to room temp for 2-3 days for diacetyl rest. Rack to secondary and put in fridge as cold as possible for as long as possible(lagering). I also usually dry hop in secondary starting at 1gm per litre.
hope that helps

Tipsy · Post by **Tipsy** » Thursday Jul 06, 2006 8:00 pm

I usually rack at day 4, just as fermentation slows down a bit.
A lot of people rack at different times though.

shane_vor · Post by **shane_vor** » Friday Jul 07, 2006 7:39 am

racking time? I usually do it when the fermentation slows, I use the airlock to judge this, that way after being transferred to the second fermenter, there's still enough fermentation going on to prevent infection. Positive pressure in the fermenter and beasties gobbling up sugars

SUBREW · Post by **SUBREW** » Friday Jul 07, 2006 8:12 am

Remember Racking is simply the transfer from one fermenter to another.

So when reading up on 'Racking' its important to realise WHY people are racking, this normally leads to WHEN they rack e.g.

1) Rack from primary after initial 4-5 day fermentation to remove from yeast trub to avoid off flavours.
2) Rack to secondary to cold condition or lager for extended periods.
3) Rack on to priming sugar at bottling time.
4) etc etc...

So think about WHY you wish to Rack and then you'll start to see the general best practice on the WHEN and HOW of it

Hope this helps

Cheers

SUBREW.

yamaroo · Post by **yamaroo** » Friday Jul 07, 2006 12:03 pm

Thank you all that has made things a lot clearer
Nicol

rwh · Post by **rwh** » Friday Jul 07, 2006 1:41 pm

Heh heh, "a lot clearer"... nice one :)

Chris · Post by **Chris** » Monday Jul 10, 2006 2:20 pm

I keep it simple. 7-7-14

7 primary
7 secondary
14+ for lagering/ccing

yamaroo · Post by **yamaroo** » Wednesday Jul 12, 2006 3:30 pm

Hi Chris do you add anything at secondary and do you bottle for the 14

Thanks Nicol

Chris · Post by **Chris** » Saturday Jul 15, 2006 12:11 pm

I'll break it down.

7 days in primary.

Rack to 2ndary, and dry-hop for aroma. 7 days in 2ndary.

Remove hop bag, and put fermenter into fridge/cold place for 14 days.

Either bottle after 14 days, or let it lager longer as needed.

There is no transfer needed between 2ndary and lagering.

lethaldog · Post by **lethaldog** » Wednesday Jul 19, 2006 12:08 pm

Hi i am new to the forums and also new to the concept of racking. Bassically i was wondering if this process is used just to enhance taste or does it lessen sedement in bottles and make the beer clearer to???

DJ · Post by DJ » Wednesday Jul 19, 2006 12:22 pm

lethaldog wrote:Hi i am new to the forums and also new to the concept of racking. Bassically i was wondering if this process is used just to enhance taste or does it lessen sedement in bottles and make the beer clearer to???

FROM WHAT I HAVE READ..

Yes

Yes
and
YES!

lethaldog · Post by **lethaldog** » Wednesday Jul 19, 2006 12:51 pm

Fantastic ill have to give it a go with my next brew

lethaldog · Post by **lethaldog** » Thursday Jul 20, 2006 1:29 pm

How long can u leave ur brew in the secondary after racking and does it make it much better with extra time?

Ed · Post by Ed » Thursday Jul 20, 2006 2:07 pm

The current thinking now is that it's possible to do more harm than good by racking. The risk is oxidation, increased exposure to contamination, and removal of a good supply of yeast necessary for the clean up phase.

In recent interviews with John Palmer it appears that he's abandoned the idea, not only with ales, but lagers as well. He has been leaving lagers for up to 6 weeks in just the primary. Jamil, a highly awarded HB'er from the Brewing Network, is of the same mind and from what I gather, only racks his fruit beers.

Speaking for myself, I rarely rack to secondary and do not have any issues with clarity, off flavours, or increased sediment in the bottle. As long as you allow enough time for the yeast to clean up and settle out, it's no problem to just use the single fermenter. If the ferment has had a vigorous start (which is what should be aimed for), then I expect to be bottling a good clean ale 14 days after putting it on. This goes for my all grains, partials, and extracts.

But you can rack if you want to, plenty of brewers do. There seems no real need though.

Cheers, Ed

Beerpig · Post by **Beerpig** » Thursday Jul 20, 2006 2:22 pm

I have never racked & don't plan to

Risk of infection, oxidisation, more cleaning etc etc

Or I'm just bone-arsed lazy

Either way I'm happy with the results & won't argue with Mr Palmer

Cheers

scblack · Post by **scblack** » Thursday Jul 20, 2006 4:07 pm

Beerpig wrote:I have never racked & don't plan to

Risk of infection, oxidisation, more cleaning etc etc

Or I'm just bone-arsed lazy

Either way I'm happy with the results & won't argue with Mr Palmer

Cheers

I agree. I have never had a cloudy beer - all are very clean.

morgs · Post by **morgs** » Thursday Jul 20, 2006 6:46 pm

I've heard its good to add a couple of teaspoons of malt or sugar into the secondary just to help kick fermentation off, according to my lhbs guy as im racking my first brew this time.

50% Mogman · Post by **50% Mogman** » Friday Jul 21, 2006 2:47 am

I don't rack, too much trouble.
I believe in letting the yeasties do their job in peace. They know what they're doing.
I just don't get the point of this whole racking thing.
I just don't get it.

lethaldog · Post by **lethaldog** » Friday Jul 21, 2006 12:47 pm

Cool i have never been dissapointed with the results im getting as my beer is always clear and tastes good.
I have never racked and after speaking to you guys im not sure if ill bother( maybe just try it once for curiositys sake)!!!