scottbrews

Recipes 

Hey all,

I brewed a stout (partial) on Jan 10, and I saw no bubbles 24-48 hours after I brewed it. I assumed this was because it was in my basement which was about 60 degrees.

I was planning to move it up to a warmer spot and maybe pitch some yeast but I went down today and saw it looking really strange.

It's almost certainly contaminated, right? Shall I just toss this batch?

masterfool101

Recipes 

That is called Krauzen, and it is perfectly normal. Means your yeast are working. Look up how to rig up a blow off tube (my preferred method is to attach a 3/8 hose to the center part of that airlock, and submerge the other end in a bowl of sanitizer).

Also, you'll want to gently wipe and sanitize where the beer foamed over.

Whatever you do, don't throw it out!!! This is beer you're making!!

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BrewMasta

Recipes 

Yeah, it's supposed to do that, but your krausen is trying to escape... You must let it, in a sanitary way... Do as we say, remove the plastic cap, and insert the hose as described above (called a blow of tube) and plan the other end In pitcher of sanitizer, which essentially becomes a giant airlock. Big beers (or high ABV beers can do this due to the large amount of sugars in the wort.

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BansheeRider

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Too bad you live in PA, I would gladly take that off your hands if you're going to throw it away.

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argyle

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I'm in Connellsville, i'll be over first thing in the morning to dispose of this for you. Trust me this type of "infection" needs special care from a professional!!!

LandoLincoln

Recipes 

60° F ambient temps are pretty good. I'd prefer a few degrees colder, but...

Go to the pet store and buy a stick-on aquarium thermometer. That will tell you the temp of the wort inside. I don't think that they will work with plastic carboys, but they do work for glass ones.

And for future reference, don't try to ferment 5 gallons of wort in a 5.5 gallon carboy. If you do, then just be sure to rig up a blow-off tube ahead of time.

masterfool101

Recipes 

Fermometers work great on better bottles ...

__________________
Nothing Beats a Fool's Luck . . . and I am the Master Fool.

FATC1TY

Recipes 

This.

This is why you have the krausen come out of the airlock. You simply have the wrong size carboy for a 5 gallon batch to ferment in. You need a 6.5 gallon to be safe, and in some cases, you will still need a blow off tube.

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scottbrews

Recipes 

Whoa, thanks for all the responses everyone! I've never used my carboy before but I have an IPA in my primary so I had to improvise. The weird color in the airlock made me think it was contaminated but I guess it's all good.

Argyle, thanks for the kind offer, I think I can handle this myself

I shall attach the hose and sanitizer. Can I use the same hose I use to siphon my beer? And I have a few empty Carlo Rossi jugs, can I fill those up with sanitizer and use those?

scottbrews

Recipes 

Last question. Can this wait until the morning to be rigged up? I'm kinda drunk right now.