Kit fermentation time

[t0ph0id]

I'm about to do my second kit brew and am wondering about fermentation time.

Both kits I've bought have said a fermentation time of between 4 - 6 days, however I've read on here of people leaving their brews for more like 1 - 2 weeks.

What's recommended? Are the kits underestimating? Or should I just check when the gravity is constant?

[eddy31384]

normally 10-14 days is good. should give a reading of around 1.010. the kits do under estimate but i have had some kits go to 1.010 in just 5 days. but i still left in the FV for 10 days.

[lovelldr]

It's best to leave it for 2-3 days after fermenting to allow the year to clean up the beer a little. Then, it's best to try and get the beer to clear before bottling... What I normally do, is give about 9-10 days ferment, then transfer the brew to a secondary fv. Then, after about 4 days in secondary, crash cool the new to try and get the yeast to drop to bottom. Then transfer to bottling bucket with sugar, and bottle...

So, all in, mine usually takes around 16 days to ferment. Then, 2 more weeks in warmth to carbonate, and usually about 3-4 weeks minimum cold conditioning... Altho gets better the longer you leave it...

[Normski]

Hi t0ph0id
What brew are we talking about?
Did you take a Hydrometer reading before pitching the yeast, If so what was it.
Norm

[t0ph0id]

Oops, I've left this fermenting more like 19 days, there appears to be a few white dots emerging on the top, mould like dots.
Is this still salvagable? Was planning on bottling today.
Can I just spoon the white bits off the top?

[t0ph0id]

It's a st peters IPA by the way.

[Cully]

Unlikely to be mould. 14 days + and you not only get your best chance at a nice low FG but the beer is starting to drop clear by this time and that means less gunk in the bottle. In my experience 14-21 days gives you absolutely cracking beer in the long run. Run a test glass off and taste it, see if there is any strong off taste.

[t0ph0id]

You're right it wasn't mould. All bottled up today.
Looking forward to doing the next one!

Probably a golden ale.