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**bwarbiany** · 07-11-2012, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by panfishrfun

I'm fermenting in a bucket

Have you opened the bucket to see if the beer is showing visible signs of fermentation? You may have a poor seal of the bucket lid or around the airlock, and it could be fermenting just fine despite no airlock activity.

CBXBob · 07-11-2012, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwarbiany

Have you opened the bucket to see if the beer is showing visible signs of fermentation? You may have a poor seal of the bucket lid or around the airlock, and it could be fermenting just fine despite no airlock activity.

I've had that happen, no airlock activity, but the yeast were busy, a hydrometer reading every other day will let you know. Plus any krausen (foam) on top is a sure indicator of fermentation. And opening the bucket, or taking out the airlock to look is not going to hurt anything.

**Dan** · 07-11-2012, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBXBob

I've had that happen, no airlock activity, but the yeast were busy, a hydrometer reading every other day will let you know. Plus any krausen (foam) on top is a sure indicator of fermentation. And opening the bucket, or taking out the airlock to look is not going to hurt anything.

Thank you. So many new brewers seem terrified to do this because somewhere along the way they were informed it was taboo. As long as sanitary measures are maintained there should be no problem.

CBXBob · 07-12-2012, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan

Thank you. So many new brewers seem terrified to do this because somewhere along the way they were informed it was taboo. As long as sanitary measures are maintained there should be no problem.

I am but a humble student of the masters here on HBT. I seriously believe the accumulated knowledge here is, if used, equal to a Masters Degree in Brewing. I'm definitely a freshman, but eager as hell to learn. And totally appreciate my teachers.

**JeepDiver** · 07-12-2012, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBXBob

I've had that happen, no airlock activity, but the yeast were busy, a hydrometer reading every other day will let you know. Plus any krausen (foam) on top is a sure indicator of fermentation. And opening the bucket, or taking out the airlock to look is not going to hurt anything.

It's not going to hurt anything to open it but a flashlight on top of the bucket will let you see if there is any krausen clinging on the side of the bucket

panfishrfun · 07-12-2012, 05:46 AM

Thanks for the ideas, I will definitely use them in the future to see what's goin on in there! I took a hydrometer reading after work today, and it was barely slightly lower than the OG. I couldnt let it go, so I just checked the airlock, and there are bubbles, so I guess my seal is good, and the yeastiest are taking off! That's a load off my mind.

**CaptnCully** · 07-12-2012, 10:26 AM

Starter 2 Days ago and brewed yesterday? You may have not let your starter really START. I usually make my starters a good 48 hours b4 pitching unless you have a stir plate and then it's a GOOD 24 hrs

**Darkness** · 07-12-2012, 12:39 PM

Also if you want the fermentation to rock in 6 hours OXYGENATE!!!! Starter (I love them) put more yeast cells in but if you give them oxygen the work there little ass's off for you. O2 in a torch setup is the same that granny is breathing in her chair. So if you can get your hands on one of those sweet. Oh and don't worry about regulater I just spray sanitizer on the valve and hold hose to it drop hose in wort and crack valve barely open. 15sec of that and pow HAPPY YEAST!

panfishrfun · 07-12-2012, 05:38 PM

I guess I need to make my next starter earlier! Well live and learn, I'm just glad everything turned out ok, and now I know.

Can you use a little aerator from a fish tank? If so, would it be hard to sanitize the air-stone, or would you just leave that off and just have the air coming out of the tube? And just to be straight, is this in the starter or the fermenter?

**Darkness** · 07-12-2012, 06:50 PM

Never used a fish tank unit but have seen some on uTube. You get a pure'r oxygen from a tank an it don't take very long.