Transfer to primary,

[Jeff20578]

I’ve just brewed my first batch today. I tried a wet hop as I have a ton of hops I needed to use up. My question is, I’ve just finished my boil and filled up my 5 gallon carboy and pitched the yeast. I’m a bit concerned it’s not filled high enough. I’m just planning on keeping it in the primary for 2 weeks and then bottling.

 

[VikeMan]

It should be fine. But gravity and taste should tell you when to bottle, not the calendar.

 

[Sammy86]

As @VikeMan said don't use the calendar...take a hydrometer reading and make sure it's stable for 3 days before bottling...otherwise you're at risk for bottle bombs.

 

[Jeff20578]

At what point do you recommend reading?
Can I also take a reading the same day yeast was pitched?

 

[jpakstis]

As for the volume, that’s totally fine! In fact higher up and you’d run the risk of a blow off because there would be much less head space for the krausen in my opinion.

As for when it’ll be ready, the yeast will tell you (through both a hydrometer reading and when they flocculate and drop out).

 

[Jeff20578]

Beer went cloudy the day after I put in carboy. Will this clear up over the next couple weeks? Or did I do something wrong?

 

[VikeMan]

Beer went cloudy the day after I put in carboy.

That's normal.

Will this clear up over the next couple weeks?

Most likely.

 

[MCoyle]

Beer went cloudy the day after I put in carboy. Will this clear up over the next couple weeks? Or did I do something wrong?

It will clear up. It’s looking good. It’s just in the process of fermenting currently. Krausen looks good. Cheers mate

 

[Knightshade]

Beer went cloudy the day after I put in carboy. Will this clear up over the next couple weeks? Or did I do something wrong?

your yeast is busy working, that's awesome!

and to answer an earlier question, you probably should take a gravity reading on your brew day. That way you have a method to track progress of your yeast.

 

[Jeff20578]

Been about a week, looks like yeast has started to slow. Is it typical to have that “grimy” ring above the liquid?

 

[VikeMan]

Is it typical to have that “grimy” ring above the liquid?

Yes. When the krausen falls, that's what's left stuck to the side.

 

[Sammy86]

Been about a week, looks like yeast has started to slow. Is it typical to have that “grimy” ring above the liquid?

All normal there! Patience!

 

[Jeff20578]

All normal there! Patience!

Thank you sir! Just been a bit worried with using fresh hops

 

[Mtrhdltd]

Is there any liquid in your airlock? It looks dry in the pictures.

 

[Jeff20578]

Is there any liquid in your airlock? It looks dry in the pictures.

It is pretty dry.

 

[Mtrhdltd]

You need liquid in it for it to function. There should be a fill line on it but halfway up is good. Some prefer sanitizer, others water. Dry will allow air and unwanted organisms in.

 

[Jeff20578]

You need liquid in it for it to function. There should be a fill line on it but halfway up is good. Some prefer sanitizer, others water. Dry will allow air and unwanted organisms in.

Crap! Thank you. Hopefully this hasn’t effected anything.

 

[VikeMan]

Crap! Thank you. Hopefully this hasn’t effected anything.

Chances are pretty good that it's fine from a contamination perspective. But once the internal pressure drops enough (i.e. no more steady stream of CO2 being vented), a dry airlock will let air in, including oxygen which is not good for the beer's freshness/shelf life. For that matter, a full airlock will also let air in, but a lot less of it.

 

[NGD]

Vodka also works great if your out of sanitizer. I’d use that before I used water.

 

[VikeMan]

Vodka also works great if your out of sanitizer. I’d use that before I used water.

Vodka works great even if you're not out of sanitizer. Star San solution can make a foamy mess as the CO2 bubbles through it.