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Sixstring78 · 04-03-2011, 12:10 PM

So I made my first batch of extract beer yesterday.
I tried to follow the instructions of the kit as best I could, however, they were not the best and fairly vague.
I'm starting to wonder now if I've screwed up though. It's been 16 hours since I put everything into the primary and there is no airlock activity. Is this normal and I just have to wait longer? Or has something happened?

So here's what went on:

1. Put 18L water into carboy (room temp)
2. Boiled 2L of water then added sugar and extract
3. Cooled wort to 80F (proofed yeast for about 10 minutes in 80F water)
4. Added wort to carboy and gave everything a shake
5. Pitched yeast
6. Orignially had the carboy sitting on the floor, but noticed it was at 65F. Picked it up and moved it to higher ground.
7. The temp is now 70F, with a big sedement layer at the bottom.

What do you think?

Bentpirate · 04-03-2011, 12:12 PM

I think a little more time and your worries will be over.... Your yeast are working even though you can't see it - sometimes it can take 72 hours before you 'see' signs of life

oldedustygoat · 04-03-2011, 12:28 PM

There are alot of factors that can affect when you see the actual process happening...you should be fine...I recently made a scottish ale that did not "start" for almost a whole day...
When it does take off though you may want to return to where it was cooler, as the temp will increase during fermentation...good luck and have fun!

**bad67z** · 04-03-2011, 12:29 PM

Keep in mind that airlock activity is NEVER to be used for indicating fermentation. Only a hydrometer or a refractometer can indicate if your brew is fermenting.

Captain Damage · 04-03-2011, 12:36 PM

Go here: http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f39/fermentation-can-take-24-72-hrs-show-visible-signs-43635/

Sixstring78 · 04-03-2011, 02:10 PM

Thanks for the replies and reasurrance!

likwidbliss · 04-03-2011, 02:16 PM

I suggest you get plane ticket for several days to the Caribbean come back home and check you specific gravity. I bet your fermentation will be done.

I got real nervous when I didn't get fermentation for nearly 72 hours, and WHAMMY on the 72nd hour fermentation was going. Yeast have personalities. They do what they want when they want. You will have beer in good time.

As master Kenobi said "Learn patience young Padawan!"

Deltac · 04-03-2011, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sixstring78

So I made my first batch of extract beer yesterday.
I tried to follow the instructions of the kit as best I could, however, they were not the best and fairly vague.
I'm starting to wonder now if I've screwed up though. It's been 16 hours since I put everything into the primary and there is no airlock activity. Is this normal and I just have to wait longer? Or has something happened?

So here's what went on:

1. Put 18L water into carboy (room temp)
2. Boiled 2L of water then added sugar and extract
3. Cooled wort to 80F (proofed yeast for about 10 minutes in 80F water)
4. Added wort to carboy and gave everything a shake
5. Pitched yeast
6. Orignially had the carboy sitting on the floor, but noticed it was at 65F. Picked it up and moved it to higher ground.
7. The temp is now 70F, with a big sedement layer at the bottom.

What do you think?

Mine took 36 hrs before anything happened. So just relax

Deltac

**azscoob** · 04-03-2011, 05:34 PM

Agreed, give it time, if you can at all help it, forget about it for 3 or 4 weeks, then check the gravity, check it again 3 or 4 days later, if it is the same, bottle away!

Sixstring78 · 04-03-2011, 05:43 PM

It's like the old saying I guess "a watched pot never boils".
Thanks for all the replies.
I'll just grab my hydrometer in a couple of days and check.
But I like the idea of taking off to the Caribbean! lol