Batch priming question

[StuAlban]

I've always used carbonation drops for the 3 batches that I have brewed so far. I'm about to bottle a Wadworth 6X extract kit and have realised I don't have enough drops left. Sounds like the time to try batch priming but I haven't really read up on the topic much. A few quick searches gave me the required amount of sugar (80g for a 23l batch) but most talk about mixing in boiling water, adding to the bottling bucket and then racking the work onto the sugar to get a good mix. I'm going to bottle directly from the primary FV using a bottling stick so not quite sure how to mix the priming sugar in. Don't want to risk too much air getting in.

[orlando]

I see your concern is oxygenation, quite right too. However, it isn't a problem really as long as you follow a couple of ideas you will be fine. I think it is best to rack off into a second vessel, my preference is a pressure barrel as I can purge oxygen from it by a quick squirt of CO2 before syphoning the beer into it. Pour your cooled priming syrup into the barrel and then, ensuring the syphon line is long enough to have the beer line under the surface , proceed to racking. When finished gently stir, You could at this point use the PB as a conditioning tank, replace barrel lid and purge again (very short blast as there will be a very small headspace). If you wish to fine the beer I do this first before adding priming sugar. Once you are ready to you can either rack off again, though another opportunity for oxidation so I don't, or prime with the syrup being careful to not stir up the sediment that will have formed, then straight into bottle in the usual way using a bottling cane.

[Jocky]

For bottling I rack off into a secondary bucket like orlando above, mixing with the sugar water there (just put the sugar water in the bucket first), and bottle immediately from there. I don't bother with any CO2 at any point and I've never had any problems with oxygenation in my end beer.

But if you want to bottle direct from the FV you can - just make your sugar water mix, let it cool, and then stir it (very gently to avoid disturbing the trub) into your FV. Leave it for half an hour to an hour to settle again and then bottle it.

[TC2642]

I use a secondary bucket for bottling too although I will mix in the boiled sugar water directly into the full bucket and stir gently, I prefer this method since I am always a bit worried about unequal carbonation if I add the sugar before the beer, although this is may not be a concern.