Secondary fermentation?

[badgerdan]

I read so many recipes that say to rack up in a secondary fermentor. Is the purpose of this to help clear the beer or is it also something else?

I don't have an extra bin just yet so can't do it so only go straight into bottles but as I'm now starting extract brews I'm now thinking that maybe this is something I need to be doing?

[Spin]

I don't think it is something that is important to do. But I have been doing it on most of my beers and you'd be surprised to see how much yeast drops out of your beer. This is yeast that would be in your bottles otherwise. I then don't have to tip away so much beer in the bottom of each bottle after pouring. I also find it helps my beers to clear easier. It's also handy for dry hopping into a secondary. I usually ferment for a week or two, sometimes longer with lagers, then I rack to a carboy for two weeks. It also helps when bottling as you don't need to worry about disturbing so much yeast as you would in the fermentor. I've made beers with and without a secondary and both have turned out good though.

[floydmeddler]

You can pick up one of these for around £13:

http://www.better-bottle.com/

Work a treat. Just bought mine on Fri.