Can I open my fermenting bucket?

[flabyboy]

I just finished an open fermentation in one of these buckets. Lid completely off for 72 hours. As long as there is a thick krausen and active fermentation you should be safe. I did rack out of my primary when fermentation was almost over before the krausen dropped. No infection and a very tasty SS Oatmeal Stout clone

 

[cbmoore43]

alright, everybody, so I finally opened the fermentation bucket! and guess what? I saw no krausen or any sort of activity. there were some chunks floating on top, but i think those were there when i poured it in the bucket. I'm not worried or anything, but I am starting to think the fermentation might be close to done? I used a dry yeast, which I have heard can ferment much quicker. I only put the wort in the bucket 72 hours ago, is there any way that the fermentation process is already almost over?

 

[sudsmcgee]

It's certainly possible that its done.

 

[matt2778]

The nice thing about a bucket is that you can take a hydro reading right out of it(sanitized hydrometer of course). This is the only way to know if your fermentation is complete.

 

[BOBrob]

Sounds like you had a good ferment, with an active air lock. How did it smell? Good I bet. Congrats and welcome to the club. You can truly do most anything brewing , if you follow good sanitation practices doing it. Cheers

 

[Tall_Yotie]

Use a hydrometer, otherwise this is all guess-work. 90% of questions can be answered using a hydrometer, so make it your friend. Read it a book, take it out for a movie.

Seriously though, any fermentation questions (Iis it fermenting? Is fermentation stuck? Is fermentation complete?) are easily answered with a hydrometer reading.

 

[BOBrob]

The nice thing about a bucket is that you can take a hydro reading right out of it(sanitized hydrometer of course). This is the only way to know if your fermentation is complete.

Please get a tube or use the one the hydrometer comes in. Use a turkey baster or wine thief, the spigot is very handy for taking samples. sticking your hydrometer and head in there can lead to a "IS MY BEER INFECTED" thread. Cheers

 

[matt2778]

Please get a tube or use the one the hydrometer comes in. Use a turkey baster or wine thief, the spigot is very handy for taking samples. sticking your hydrometer and head in there can lead to a "IS MY BEER INFECTED" thread. Cheers

How is a sanitized hydrometer any different than a sanitized thief,moreover a thief has a one way valve that can more easily harbor bacteria. Understandably care should be taken when reaching into a fermenter, but it seems that assuming an infected beer was caused by a hydrometer is a bit of an unfounded conclusion.

 

[BOBrob]

Matt... just saying its easier and a better practice. All items must be sanitized, including your hands, face , and hair if you want to lean over your bucket. Why take that chance? No offence, just a suggestion. Cheers

 

[flabyboy]

Matt... just saying its easier and a better practice. All items must be sanitized, including your hands, face , and hair if you want to lean over your bucket. Why take that chance? No offence, just a suggestion. Cheers

Sanitize hands, face, and hair??? Wow... I believe statements like these are more responsible for the "is my beer infected?" threads than someone actually infecting their beer

 

[BOBrob]

Cheers