EvilDeadAsh

Recipes 

Very new to the hobby, brewing up my 2nd batch some time next week. In doing so, I intend to correct a number of mistakes or refine my process.

Reading howtobrew.com, John Palmer suggests dumping the wort "aggressively" into the fermentation bucket / carboy to introduce O2 for the yeast to feed on.

I've seen a lot of talk about aeration stones, inline O2 injection systems and stuff like that - I didn't want to get into that just yet.

I am wondering if the action of pouring the cooled wort from my kettle into the primary will introduce enough oxygen for the yeast to do its job? I was also thinking of maybe dropping a couple bucks on a drill bit paint mixer (sanitized, of course) and hitting the wort with that for 30-60 seconds. I would imagine if the yeast is healthy, and there is some oxygen, it would be enough to kick things off properly.

edit: fixed the link. if that still doesnt work because the Lowes site is awesome... google "drill bit paint mixer" to see what I mean.

IFMracin

Recipes 

I pour into my primary from a couple feet above and it works just fine.

Like this:





And proof that it's getting plenty of air:

EvilDeadAsh

Recipes 

That works just fine for me then - you sir, just saved me almost $7! Thanks very much!

tre9er

Recipes 

I used to just stir vigorously and/or pour from high-up. That get's harder when you have a large batch size...Now I use a stick-blender held up near the top of the wort. Introduces lots of frothy air. Pure O2 is obviously best, but not absolutely required.

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hillhousesawdustco

Recipes 

I swirl the fermenter pretty good when it is less than half full and then pour the full batch between two buckets back and forth. Just pouring will get 'er going but my personal experience is that the little extra effort will get the yeast off to a faster start. Never really tasted a difference though.

IFMracin

Recipes 

Oh, and though I haven't done this, but I can see it happening, be careful not to knock over your fermenter when pouring.....that would suck!

scone

Recipes 

I use one of these and a drill to stir for ~2 min. (http://www.austinhomebrew.com/product_info.php?products_id=10408). You could make one a lot cheaper, especially if you don't need it to fit in the mouth of carboys (so it won't have to fold e.g. if you only ferment in buckets). Not exactly low tech if you count the drill, but many people have one already.

mendesm

Recipes 

You may already have one of these around the house.

rifraf

Recipes 

I stir vigorously during cooling, and then pour from high or through a strainer.

On top of that, I top off by setting a bottling bucket on the counter above the fermentor and letting it pour through the spigot. The falling water is aerated and it also splashes a good bit. Typically have some good foam on top by the time it's done. Give it a quick stir and pour in yeast.

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DSmith

Recipes 

+1 on this paddle, not the cheapest method though