36 hours and no fermentation

miatawnt2b · 09-04-2007, 12:19 PM

First post for this noob here. I am having a problem with fermentation, and I am wondering if I should wait a bit longer or if I should pitch another yeast. I found a Coopers recipe for "Instant Karma" IPA. It called for a White Labs WLP023 Burton Ale. When I was ready to pitch the yeast, I noticed that the best before date was a month outdated. Figuring this wouldn't be a problem, I pitched the container anyway. 24 hours later, I panicked a bit, and agitated the carboy for about 45 seconds. Now, 36 hours after the pitch, I still have no signs of fermentation. So I am wondering if I should wait longer, or stop by the brew store today and get another yeast? If I pitch another, should I pitch the same thing (liquid) or something else, should I pour it in like I did before, or go with another method?

I am a little frustrated as I find it hard to believe the yeast was dead before I pitched it, and was also sure the wart was 70*.

Thanks for the help folks.
-J

JimC · 09-04-2007, 12:40 PM

36 hours isn't unusual for pitching an older vial straight in. You should make a starter next time. I would give it another day before I thought about pitching more yeast. The most I would do right now is give it a bit of a stir with a sanitized spoon.

libs · 09-04-2007, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimC

36 hours isn't unusual for pitching an older vial straight in. You should make a starter next time. I would give it another day before I thought about pitching more yeast. The most I would do right now is give it a bit of a stir with a sanitized spoon.

Definatlly good advise. If you get to 72 hours or so without any action, repitch the same yeast (check the best before date). No harm done. Yeast starters are valuable to give fermentation a kick start, but are the best way to tell if you have good yeast or not!

miatawnt2b · 09-04-2007, 02:12 PM

My wort had a fairly high initial SG 1.055. Am I correct in assuming the higher density wort can lengthen the lag phase?

I also checked the wort this morning, and the airlocked bucket actually pulled a vacuum last night. Does this mean anything?

-J

**cubbies** · 09-04-2007, 02:24 PM

First of all, you are likely fine, I would wait another couple of days and if there is still no signs of fermentation then consider pitching more yeast. However, just because the airlock is not bubbing, does not mean fermentation is not taking place. A gravity reading must be used. However, this brings up an important lesson.

You should always make a starter. I know that it seems like not a big deal, and more risk for contamination, but trust me, it is easy and well worth it. 2 cups water boiled with 1/2 cup DME for 10 minutes. Cool that, put it in a bottle or jar, shake thoroughly and add yeast. Doing this will increase your lag time substantially. I am talking fermentation takes off in 5-7 hours (maybe even less), instead of 48.

Also, buy an extra packet or two of dry yeast. It is cheap and stores very well in the fridge. Just in case you even do have a stuck fermentation, you will have the necessary fix on hand.

miatawnt2b · 09-04-2007, 02:39 PM

Great... thanks for the advice. Do you keep a couple different dry yeasts on hand or just a standard all purpose variety. I was going to get a few Coopers Dry Ale Yeast packets.

-J

**cubbies** · 09-04-2007, 07:55 PM

I just keep a generic one around. To tell you the truth, I am not even sure what I have at the moment.

**TheJadedDog** · 09-04-2007, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miatawnt2b

Great... thanks for the advice. Do you keep a couple different dry yeasts on hand or just a standard all purpose variety. I was going to get a few Coopers Dry Ale Yeast packets.

-J

I keep a couple packets of safale around, both the English Ale and American Ale varieties, in the event my liquid yeast fails to take off. I find the Safale to be suitable for just about everything but specialty beers (like a belgian or a wheat). I know a lot of guys on here also use Nottinghams.

**DeathBrewer** · 09-04-2007, 08:35 PM

i always have several packets of dry yeast handy...i think i have some liquid yeast in there that i haven't used yet, too

miatawnt2b · 09-05-2007, 12:34 PM

WOOOO HOOOO! So when I woke up today, bubbles.

So somewhere between 52-60 hours lag time for this one. I was nervous.

-J