csue66

Recipes 

We just brewed an all grain pilsner with saflager 23 yeast on a Saturday afternoon. We pitched two packs in cooled down wort and placed in fridge. We didn't have a very good thermometer until Sunday. When temp. was checked the fridge was about 45 degrees which is too cool for yeast to start fermenting. We put the carboy down in our basement for now which registered 55 degrees. It is now Monday afternoon and no activity has started. Is this ok and does it take a long time for lagers to get started. This is our first try.

Tech211

Recipes 

Someone will be along shortly to point you to: Fermentation Can Take 24 to 72 Hours . In the meantime, you may have to wait longer than you are accustomed to waiting. Saflager-23 is rated to ferment between 48F and 57F and as you mentioned, you pitched low. Not to worry. I pitch under the recomended temperature and it begins fermenting after the temperature begins to rise.