first time with wort chiller - no fermentation at 24 hours??

[tranceamerica]

Ok, I've been brewing for a long time, but have never used a wort chiller. I built one for myself, and used it this weekend for an extract batch. It was AWESOME, the wort cooled to 85 deg in about 15 min. I topped off the wort with about 2 gallons of cold water, then pitched the yeast.

I wonder if it was too cold (didn't check the final temp) because at 24 hours there wasn't any obvious signs of fermentation (maybe a few bubbles on the surface, but no airlock activity). Usually, I get rapid fermentation at maybe 12 hours into the process, but then again, I usually pitch when the wort is about 85 degrees.

I pitched another pack of yeast, and now have good fermentation. (nottingham yeast both times).

any thoughts?

 

[Graeme]

Well the first obvious question would be why didn't you check the final temperature?!

 

[tranceamerica]

LOL, can't get the temp probe into my carboy!

 

[Graeme]

Ah I see, well on my first homebrew I dropped the thermometer and it smashed before I could take the temp so I was going out on a limb, I had a feeling it was at pitching temp but then I didn't know for certain, it fermented out anyway. I'd say give it another few hours hopefully you will start to see some signs of life!

 

[Pappers_]

yeast is going to activate more quickly and vigorously at 85 degrees than 65 degrees. But, for most beers, you would not want fermentation to start at that high temperature.