When is fermentation done ??

[Mr_Beer]

Again, possibly a dumb question.

Batch in fermentation vessel. Lots of yeast and some yeast nutrient. About 19 gallons on grain.

My expected (projected) fermentation time was about 14 days.

At Day 7 the SG is 1.000.

If I wait longer will that go lower?
Time to pull the result and squeeze??

Any advice would be appreciated.

[Dougmatt]

Most people say Fermentation is done when the SG does not decrease over a 2-3 day period. Often a ferment will go to .997 so 1.000 is not necessarily done. Lots of “clean up” happens by the yeast in this last stage so my advice is let it sit a few more days and see if it drops anymore. If not, then run it. If so, keep waiting.

Yeast works on its own schedule.

[NormandieStill]

If you give it a gentle stir that'll help degass it which will allow everything to drop out of suspension more rapidly if it's finished. Otherwise DougMatt said, there is no definitive final SG (Which will depend on how well your conversion went) but when it's stopped moving then the yeast have had enough. If you let them do some clean up for a bit, at least while they settle out, your booze should be a little cleaner on the palate.

[Chucker]

I usually don’t check final gravity. When it appears to be stopped, has settled, and tastes sour, it’s about as far as it’s gonna go. A quick stir to degas is all it needs while I contemplate my next opportunity. That’ll confirm cessation of activity, too.
If I do check gravity I note that ag often doesn’t go below 1.000. If it’s stopped and is that close, it’s done.

[shadylane]

At Day 7 the SG is 1.000.

If I wait longer will that go lower?
Time to pull the result and squeeze??

Sounds like it about done.
If you wait, keep an eye out for infections.

[Mr_Beer]

Thanks to all who answered.
Reassurance by others is always comforting -- especially as you develop experience.

Two more days at 1.000 and I have pulled it. It is now dripping away.

FYI -- I have an alternative to squeezing the result -- will post that approach, wirth some pictures, in a day or so.

[Bee]

I thought this was a good thing for the quality of the product?