All grain krausen seems smaller than extract batches

Ever since I started doing all grain batches it seems my krausen is smaller than the extract batches I've done. I usually do my primary in plastic buckets but the two all grain batches I've done in my carboy I've noticed a smaller krausen.

Lately I've been doing relativly low OG beers and pitching dry yeast except for my Belgiums and hefs were I use liquid yeast.

My last extract brew was a belgium pale ale. I made a yeast starter and had to use a blow off tube.

All my all grain beers have been right on for OG and FG and they tasted great so nothing bad is happening.

Anyone else notice a smaller krausen?

If it's turning into a good brew, who cares!

Parva said:

If it's turning into a good brew, who cares!

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Good point. I was just curious if anyone else ran into this.

I have noticed this also...until I pitched my last beer, a pumpkin ale, onto a yeast cake from a pale ale. It blew through the airlock in less than 12 hours.

yeah, i've seen the same thing. i've done maybe a half dozen all grains, and only one really made the krausen. but i've also started using dry yeast to save a little money. beer seems to be coming out o.k., but what if it could be better? i'm still experimenting with my system. fly sparging vs batch sparging, etc. hoping something would show up there.......not yet.

I wouldn't necessarily jump to the conclusion that AG krausens are smaller than extract krausens. It's really dependent on yeast strain, wort composition, aeration, fermentation temps, etc. For example, lager yeasts generally produce smaller, more compact krausens than ale yeasts. I would think, if anything, AG fermentations would be slightly more vigorous due to the higher amount of nutrients in the wort/beer.

What's a yeast cake?

Is it what's left over in the primary?

Cistercian said:

What's a yeast cake?

Is it what's left over in the primary?

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That's right. There can be some hops or any other additives in there too. Usually the cake is washed before use so that much of the extra debris is cleaned out.

Too many duck fans on this forum.