Carbonation issues

[Brewer #116017]

Brewed my first batch (Beer Simply Beer IPA kit) and bottled it about 3 weeks ago. Tried a bottle after 2 weeks and it was flat so I waited another week and tried a few more. One was very good but another was still flat and yet another was way overcarbonated and undrinkable. I boiled the priming sugar from the kit and let it cool before putting in the bottling bucket. I then racked on top of the priming sugar but did not stir. Not sure why I'm getting such inconsistency. Ideas?

 

[Leglesswondercat]

Just had the same thing although not as extreme. All bottles carbonated but some more than others. I know the accepted wisdom is to batch prime for consistency but I switched back to 1/2 teaspoon for each 450/500ml bottle on the brew I bottled today. A dry funnel and measuring spoon, easy peasy. Against the grain but it works better for me, actually less worried about this brew, in a cardboard box. The other brew is in a plastic storage box, with lid, just in case. Hassle vs peace of mind for me.

 

[jeffpn]

That sugar is heavy stuff. Stir without sloshing. Bottle half your batch. Stir again.

 

[Nosybear]

I second Jeffpn: Stratification. You didn't get your priming sugar thoroughly mixed into your beer. Your choices are to accept the current situation or carefully decant all the bottles into a bottling bucket, add in some new priming sugar and re-bottle. You may need to degas the beer by stirring it vigorously - I wouldn't worry about oxidation since the CO2 will be coming out of the beer. Foamover is a greater fear - make sure you have a lot of head space! You're risking oxidation by doing this so drink what you rebottle quickly. And good luck with it.

 

[Brewer #116017]

Thanks for the advice. Will try stirring next time. My second kit was a 2 gallon that included the carb drops so hopefully those will be better. The first kit was only $20 so not a big loss if I only get a few drinkable bottles. I learned a lot throughout the whole process.