To prime or not to prime?

[EPV Brewing]

I'm debating rather I should prime or not prime this beer.

Please see topic:

http://www.brewersfriend.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1502

I don't want bottle bombs.

Thoughts?

 

[Nosybear]

Okay, I remember the other thread. Here's how to make your decision. Take a gravity reading. Take another one three days later. If they're the same, corrected for temperature, your beer is done and you should prime it before packaging. If the second reading is lower, you have no idea how much sugar is left to be fermented in the beer so packaging it will be risking shrapnel in your storage area so don't package it. If the second reading is higher, it's likely a measurement error, take another reading.

Always let your beer finish fermenting before packaging. And if you're the least unsure the beer is finished, rely on gravity readings. You can always drink the samples as a taste test....

 

[Hogarthe]

I have to agree with the above post. gravity readings that stay stable over several days means it is done. if they are lowering, let it ferment until it is done getting lower. some people bottle beer before it is done fermenting and let the last of fermentation do the carbing, but you really have to know your beer is going to finish at a certain gravity to do that reliably. much easier and safer to prime after fermentation finishes.