So my first brew (pale ale with perle and cascade hops) is currently fermenting but I have two concerns with it. My first is that I haven't witnessed any bubbling in my airlock and its been over a week (although I wasn't checking it every few minutes and my bucket is fairly large with only 4 1/2 gallons in it.) Although, the closet where it is fermenting did smell of hops after the first few days though. Should I be ok?
My second concern is the fact that after deciding to ferment in my bucket for two weeks then ferment in my carboy for additional week, I've realized I probably made a mistake. Should I siphon it into the carboy then add my bottling sugar to my bottling bucket then siphon it back into my bottling bucket? Or will that be too much of a risk of contamination?
My second concern is the fact that after deciding to ferment in my bucket for two weeks then ferment in my carboy for additional week, I've realized I probably made a mistake. Should I siphon it into the carboy then add my bottling sugar to my bottling bucket then siphon it back into my bottling bucket? Or will that be too much of a risk of contamination?
