How can I tell......
 

That everthing as going as planned? I pitched the yeast last night but I have one of those white 6 gallon True Brew pails and can't see what's going on inside.
My airlock is one of those round ones with the cap. Will I see moisture build up inside the airlock??

The airlock will bubble once the yeast get going. What kind of yeast did you pitch?

Is it bubbling? If you didn't make a starter, it might take a while to start bubbling. I wouldn't even think of starting to worrying until the 48 hour mark.

"Round ones with the cap" I assume means bubbler?

What I like to do if I have a brew that isn't bubbling (which seems to happen a lot, my bucket sucks) is press down on the top of the bucket, increasing the pressure enough to make a bubble go through the airlock. I put my nose right above the airlock when I'm doing this, and take a big whiff as the bubble comes out. If it doesn't smell like it did when you put it in, things are probably going just fine in there!

I used a champagne yeast and it has been 24 hours. I also used a yeast nutrient.
I am using a Buon Visto 3 piece airlock.
Could I have messed up the yeast?? I mixed it with 1/4 cup warm water.

Did you put water in the airlock?

No, I did not put water in the airlock. I mixed the yeast with water in a pot and then dumped it in with the juice.

You need to fill your airlock half-way with water.

D'oh! :D

Woops..:drunk:

Well it has been 48 hrs and still no bubbling..I think something may start soon because the piece inside airlock appears to be getting pushed up and If I push down very lightly on the cover it forces gas out of the airlock.
I do not want to open the cover because I do not want to ruin my batch.
Would this ruin the batch?
When people talk about a starter for the yeast...what are they talking about?
Could I have just thrown the packet of yeast in the pail?
What is the proper way to pitch the yeast?
Should I shake the pail?
:mad:

opening the lid won't ruin your batch, just don't do it too much and don't leave the lid off. Just open it up and take a peak and seal it back up. Pushing down on the lid will always make the airlock bubble no matter if fermentation has started or not. Since you didn't make a starter, I wouldn't worry about it just yet. Go have a beer and check on it tomorrow morning.