primary vs secondary

[jobiewon]

How many people just primary? How many secondary? for other reasons that dry hopping or other additives? Just wondering if secondary is worth it. Unless you are adding something. High gravity beer you would leave in primary right long term? I am a noob

[Gahr]

I just primary. The only time I'll transfer to a secondary is if I'm dryhopping or adding fruit. Don't mess with the yeast more than is absolutely necessary. Besides, the risk of contamination is less when you don't rack the beer to a secondary.

[Sent From My iPhone]

Usually just primary. I'll let beers sit in the keg for several weeks before drinking and they settle and clear up nicely.

[Dirk McLargeHuge]

Just primary for a couple of weeks, then into kegs. I wish I could say I let mine sit a couple of weeks, but I'm too impatient.

[tavish2]

personally i mainly just do a primary unless i am working with a yeast that doesnt floculate well (kolsch) then i will get it off the yeast cake and into a secondary for two reasons: 1) the yeast seems to floculate a little better (might be my imagination here, but i dont think so cause that is why bud does beach wood aging) when there is less yeast settled out on the bottom and 2) my 5 gallon carboy fits in the kegorador much easier than the 6.5 gallon carboy. but most of the time i just do primary and let it sit for a little longer (helps with cleanup of off flavors).

[Field]

primary for 3 or 4 or whatever weeks, then into the keg with some priming sugar where it will sit 2 more weeks

like the others have said, unless there is a specific reason for a 2ndary, I don't do it

[Mylo]

I even dry hop in the primary - after things have settled down. With a healthy and viable yeast pitch, there's little risk of autolysis for up to 4 weeks. The term "secondary" is misleading itself. Unless you are doing a fresh fruit addition - there is no secondary fermentation. That smaller carboy is basically a "brite tank".

I do hope to get an extra couple of kegs for use as brite tanks (cut the dip tubes). The benefit is that you can completely purge them with CO2, and transfer with a jumper. No risk of oxidation.


Mylo

[BrewerJ]

no secondary, sometimes i use kegs as a brite tank.