2nd Batch...Bubbling Issues?

[coryfrey14]

I've recently invested in a Cooper's Brewing Starter kit. After carefully following the instructions for my first no boil Lager, I noticed no "bubbling" activity coming from the fermenter. I fermented in the winter and I thought maybe it was too cold, despite my efforts to keep the brew warm with a heating pad. The finished product tasted ok (a bit sweet for me but others seemed to enjoy it) Im guessing that ferementation stopped early due to the brew dropping below the temperature range. Because of this problem I waited until good 70 degree weather to aviod the temperature issues with my 2nd batch. I tried a brewers best american ale ingredient kit. Same issues with the fermenter not bubbling? After waited a few extra days past the recommended period I bottled the brew and I am awaiting the results. My hydrometer showed normal readings for the brew but I am really baffled as to why I havent seen the bubbling affect. This was a 5 gallon batch and my ferementer is a 23L plastic fermenter. Any ideas?

 

[unionrdr]

If you have the new DIY cooper's FV,then there is no airlock to bubble. You'd just see krausen foam on the surface to whatever degree. If you have one of the leftover old micro brew FV's like mine,then you have a screw on lid with an airlock in the middle. Mine didn't bubble with that lager kit they give with it (uses ale yeast,so it's really a pale ale),but it was due mainly to the fact that there was molding flash on the mold line. That line happens to run right through the middle of the lid sealing area. & through the middle of the threads,on the flat areas. So,I cut the flash of with a sharp exacto. End of problem,airlock works normally now.
So you may not get a big thick krausen,or maybe just a little around the edges. & since the new one has no airlock,no bubbles.

 

[coryfrey14]

Mine must be one of the older ones because it has the screw on lid and the airlock in the middle. I'll try the exacto method for the next batch. I've also thought about just using it as a secondary ferementer for future brews and using a carboy. The Cooper's fermenters is great for bottling.

Thanks

 

[unionrdr]

You're welcome. Just unscrew the lid,& look at the flat rim on top where the seal in the lid down on to. There'll be a raised mold line going across it,like a line through the middle of a circle. Molding flash is like a splash on the counter or something. But in this case,it's between the mold halves,& cures solid. It can hold the seal up just enough to let the co2 leak out at that point.
Now,I also noticed molding flash where that same mold line travels down through the middle of the flat area between where the threads on one side stop & the other side begins. Check that area too,both sides of the threads.
I found that my lid seals great now,& I don't have to crank it as hard to get it tight enough. That should do it,no need to toss aside a great fermenter.