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Gunk at the bottom?

Discussion in 'Beginners Beer Brewing Forum' started by nerdlogic, Feb 14, 2007.

 

  1. #1
    nerdlogic

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Feb 14, 2007
    My primary carboy has like 1 inch of white gunk at the bottom, i know it wasnt there when i stirred up the wort before pitching the yeast.

    is this ok, normal, varying depending on the brew, good, bad?

    Should i give it another stir? :mug:
     
  2. #2
    Pumbaa

    I prefer 23383  

    Posted Feb 14, 2007
    it's normal RDWHAHB

    it's trub and yeast, if you use a secondary you'll have some in there too but not as much
     
  3. #3
    abracadabra

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Feb 14, 2007
    Don't give it another stir, you want it to settle out.
     
  4. #4
    nerdlogic

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Feb 14, 2007
    Its only been (THREE) days since I pitched the yeast.

    I noticed it late on the first day.

    I'm worried that the yeast started working after the "trub" had settled and my beer wont come out full.
     
  5. #5
    Fiery Sword

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Feb 14, 2007
    It will definitely be fine. This is totally normal, and varies in intensity depending on the ingredients and process. I racked a pilsner last night that has about 2.5" of fine white sediment on the bottom and about 1" of brown chunkies on top. Once I was done syphoning, I chugged all the crud Rocky-style. Then I flexed in the mirror. :rockin:
     
  6. #6
    fifelee

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Feb 14, 2007
    LOL...almost choked.
     
  7. #7
    nerdlogic

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Feb 14, 2007
    Does it matter that in addition to sludge on the bottom it is also only pushing co2 through the airlock like once every 10 minutes? i mean, its definitely producing co2... do lagers always go so slow?
     
  8. #8
    Fiery Sword

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Feb 14, 2007
    Lagers go slow, but they still give a pretty good kick 2-4 days in. I get lager blowoff when I've made a big starter.
     
  9. #9
    SteveM

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Feb 14, 2007
    You will always have something settle out of your brew no matter where it is, no matter when in the process. Even if you use three stages of brewing and clarifying, once you bottle, you will have sediment there too. It means that your yeast is happy and healthy and doing what you want it to do.
     
  10. #10
    gauthierk

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Feb 15, 2007
    Yeast go threw a log cycle that increases their numbers by over 200 fold. Even though you see a large amount of yeast at the bottom mixed in the trub, there is alot that is still in suspension moving around within bubbles fermenting more and more... My cat tends to like to sit next to my primary and swat at the yeast clumps moving around during the most active fermentation. So long as you have any airlock activity at all, it means that there is still some yeast finding food...
     
  11. #11
    nerdlogic

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Feb 15, 2007
    What im really concerned with is whether or not I pitched the yeast into the brew and the good stuff settled before the yeast could begin its work---or the yeast went in but didnt start working til the good stuff settled.
     
  12. #12
    Yooper

    Ale's What Cures You! Staff Member  

    Posted Feb 15, 2007
    The yeast knows where the good stuff is, so don't worry about that. There's plenty of yeast in suspension to keep working. The yeast that falls to the bottom is the flocculated stuff- so the bottom is a good place for it!
     
  13. #13
    SteveM

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Feb 15, 2007
    Trust the yeast, they know what they are doing, they don't ask for much and they won't let you down.
     
  14. #14
    Fiery Sword

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Feb 15, 2007
    I think you should ask again, just in case. ;)
     
  15. #15
    homebrewer_99

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Feb 15, 2007
    Learn how to wash it so you can make more beer with your new FREE yeast.;)

    Chugging optional.:drunk:
     
  16. #16
    nerdlogic

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Feb 15, 2007
    Its bubbling every 4-10 seconds now... the foam is rising... its exciting.
     
  17. #17
    Fiery Sword

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Feb 15, 2007
    Dude, I've been yelled at for sitting in front of the lager fridge with the door open, 3 sheets to the wind, watching the beer show. SWMBO is probably filling out the paperwork for the asylum as we speak......

    damn right it's exciting!!!
     
  18. #18
    dibby33

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Feb 15, 2007
    Have you started sniffing the airlock yet? My fetish. ...and I know I am not alone!!! :D
     
  19. #19
    nerdlogic

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Feb 16, 2007
    i've sniffed it, cider scent. it got to like 1-4 bubbles per second today it was at 58, i'm gonna bring it down to like 57.
     
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