Beer Fermenting with No Activity

[bendebono]

I've read through a number of no activity fermentation threads on here, but my case is a bit different. I pitched my yeast approximately 48 hours ago. Since then the only visible sign of fermentation activity I've seen is that the star san in my airlock has moved up slightly. Beyond that: nothing. No bubbling, no foam.

However, I took a gravity reading this afternoon and I'm down from 1.070 OG to 1.044. Obviously that means something is happening in terms of the gravity. Should I be concerned about the lack of other visible signs? If so, what should I do about it?

 

[Upthewazzu]

You should put the lid back on and leave it there for another week. Seriously, don't touch it!

 

[Yooper]

I've read through a number of no activity fermentation threads on here, but my case is a bit different. I pitched my yeast approximately 48 hours ago. Since then the only visible sign of fermentation activity I've seen is that the star san in my airlock has moved up slightly. Beyond that: nothing. No bubbling, no foam.

However, I took a gravity reading this afternoon and I'm down from 1.070 OG to 1.044. Obviously that means something is happening in terms of the gravity. Should I be concerned about the lack of other visible signs? If so, what should I do about it?

Maybe the fermenter has a tiny leak and the co2 is going out of the leak. That's why airlocks aren't a fermentation gauge. Obviously, if the gravity has dropped nearly 30 points, it's actively fermenting so there is no problem at all.

 

[jro238]

Sometimes fermentation is just really quiet. I honestly don't know why, but some yeast has a mind of its own. It is clearly fermenting so just let it go because there isn't anything else you can do

 

[bendebono]

That's what I was guessing, but I wanted to check what others thought. Thanks for the replies!

One additional question: If there is a leak somewhere letting the c02 out, would that account for the lack of foam too or just the lack of bubbles in the airlock?

 

[crashtest22]

I just did a lager and pitched 1 pack of wyeast 2035 the first day.
then after I realized I way under-pitched I added a second one the next day.
after 3 days I had no activity at all...no krausen starting or anything so I added a pack of S-23 dry and let it sit.
now its been a few weeks and I am bringing up for the rest gravity this am was 1.011 and its supposed to final at 010

so...
I never had any bubbles or anything in the lock but it fermented for sure
pitched first yeast 4/24 second 4/25 and dry 4/28

 

[fearwig]

There's an airlock leak. Which is fine. Airlock bubbling is not "activity". Airlocks are not necessary or tremendously useful in primary, and they are notably UN-useful for identifying whether there is active fermentation because they assume an airtight system and because there are other things than active fermentation that can make an airlock bubble. Gravity movement is how you measure fermentation, and you seem to have plenty of that going on--so congrats!