Cold Crash after 1 week

[storeboughtcheeseburgers]

Is that too early?

I'm using a ferm chamber - just wondering if another week (cold crashed) is the way to go or if I need it to brew at the solid 19-20 for 2 weeks? I want to try dry hopping gradually during cold crashing.

 

[Crusty]

Is that too early?

I'm using a ferm chamber - just wondering if another week (cold crashed) is the way to go or if I need it to brew at the solid 19-20 for 2 weeks? I want to try dry hopping gradually during cold crashing.

At 19-20deg, it's probably well & truely finished fermenting after a full week but I feel leaving it for the extra week is better for all round completion. I like to give it two weeks @ferment temp, raising the temp a few degrees towards the end of primary for a Diacetyl rest. This extra time gives the yeast a chance to finish off & clean up after themselves & the beers are better for it. A diacetyl rest is not so important for Ales as it is for Lagers but I just routinely do it anyway. It's a good habit to get into. I do the same as you, cold crash for a full week @1deg. I don't bother dry hopping much these days as the flavour & aroma additions during the boil are enough for my tastes.

 

[storeboughtcheeseburgers]

At 19-20deg, it's probably well & truely finished fermenting after a full week but I feel leaving it for the extra week is better for all round completion. I like to give it two weeks @ferment temp, raising the temp a few degrees towards the end of primary for a Diacetyl rest. This extra time gives the yeast a chance to finish off & clean up after themselves & the beers are better for it. A diacetyl rest is not so important for Ales as it is for Lagers but I just routinely do it anyway. It's a good habit to get into. I do the same as you, cold crash for a full week @1deg. I don't bother dry hopping much these days as the flavour & aroma additions during the boil are enough for my tastes.

Does it really make THAT much of a big difference ? I find I generally CC at around 10 days for about 4 days and then bottle. Diacetyl resting is not something I've done before.

 

[Yob]

once it's at terminal gravity, all it needs is a day or two to clean up, I'm generally raising the temps toward the end of primary so its all taken care of by default.

If primary is over in 3 days, + 2 for cleanup I'll go right into cc for 4 days.

Longer that necessary isn't required

 

[Midnight Brew]

once it's at terminal gravity, all it needs is a day or two to clean up, I'm generally raising the temps toward the end of primary so its all taken care of by default.
If primary is over in 3 days, + 2 for cleanup I'll go right into cc for 4 days.
Longer that necessary isn't required

That's exactly what some of the micros do and produce fantastic products.

 

[storeboughtcheeseburgers]

once it's at terminal gravity, all it needs is a day or two to clean up, I'm generally raising the temps toward the end of primary so its all taken care of by default.

If primary is over in 3 days, + 2 for cleanup I'll go right into cc for 4 days.

Longer that necessary isn't required

Yeh thanks yob - I'm taking your advice on this and the g radual dry hopping.

Its gone from 1.042 to 1.004 so its definitely done!

Cheers,

 

[storeboughtcheeseburgers]

once it's at terminal gravity, all it needs is a day or two to clean up, I'm generally raising the temps toward the end of primary so its all taken care of by default.

If primary is over in 3 days, + 2 for cleanup I'll go right into cc for 4 days.

Longer that necessary isn't required

Is it worth leaving it out in the shed for a day?

It gets up to like 30 in there (where the fridge is anyway)

 

[Yob]

Erm.. That may be a touch too hot.. Somewhere in the middle achievable?

 

[Spiesy]

Do you have a heat source in your fermentation chamber?

Infa-red reptile heaters are a great choice - they don't output any UVA or UVB rays, don't make direct contact with the fermenter and are a lot safer than many other options. Mine even came with a clip on mount, which attaches nicely to the fridge door compartments.

 

[storeboughtcheeseburgers]

I just decided to cold crash - its been going for 7 days and is a fresh yeast ale, should be sweet. next time I'll look at upping it towards the end of 7 days, like day 5 and let it rest for 2 days.

Will be looking at a new heater, but thats a long way off with the hot weather now!