I have my first lager (a 1.065 Pilsner) in the fermenter. It got down to 1.014-1.017 at one week, so I rasied the temp to 65 (from 52) for a diacetyl rest.
After 2 days at 65, I pulled a sample last night to recheck gravity and to do a diacetyl test. The gravity was 1.009 and the krausen had fallen.
For the test I put one half the sample in the frig. I heated the other half to 140 for about 30 minutes (intending to heat for 60 minutes). Then I read somewhere that a covered sample at 160 for 10-20 minutes was better, so I increased the temp and kept it covered with aluminum foil during the 10 minute heating.
There was no hint of butter in the cooled sample. There was horrible buttery aroma in the heated sample. Great... diacetyl.
So, last night I agitated the fermenter and increased the temp to 68 and I'm planning to retest tommorow night.
Is there anything else I can do? (I do not have krausen available.)
Also, does the diacetyl test detect ANY diacetyl or only that which will be noticeable in the final product? The smell was so in your face that I'm just concerned it will never completely go away.
After 2 days at 65, I pulled a sample last night to recheck gravity and to do a diacetyl test. The gravity was 1.009 and the krausen had fallen.
For the test I put one half the sample in the frig. I heated the other half to 140 for about 30 minutes (intending to heat for 60 minutes). Then I read somewhere that a covered sample at 160 for 10-20 minutes was better, so I increased the temp and kept it covered with aluminum foil during the 10 minute heating.
There was no hint of butter in the cooled sample. There was horrible buttery aroma in the heated sample. Great... diacetyl.
So, last night I agitated the fermenter and increased the temp to 68 and I'm planning to retest tommorow night.
Is there anything else I can do? (I do not have krausen available.)
Also, does the diacetyl test detect ANY diacetyl or only that which will be noticeable in the final product? The smell was so in your face that I'm just concerned it will never completely go away.