Can I pitch again to save a batch???

[Tcl1999]

Ok, so I need help. I have an all grain batch going right now, it was brewed Friday, had good primary fermentation going on Saturday, and completely shut down on Sunday. I think some of the vodka in the airlock got sucked into the batch Sunday morning and killed the yeast. Can I pitch more yeast to save it?

It was a 2.5 gallon batch, probably 1.060 OG, and my airlock probably lost an ounce of vodka. It was fermenting in a bucket, and I think someone accidentally pushed on th lid which pushed out air and sucked the vodka back in. Any thoughts?

 

[sniperd]

What's the gravity now? Sometimes my airlock will only bubble for a few days, gravity is really the only way to tell what's going on. I'd be shocked if 1oz of vodka did anything to the yeast. You can re-pitch if you want though, it won't hurt anything.

 

[Pratzie]

take a gravity reading and see what it is. Doubt there was enough vodka to kill the yeasties to slow down fermentation. Take a reading and post back.

 

[lumpher]

a tiny bit of vodka will not kill the yeast. likely you fermented it at a high temp and it just got done with the initial fermentation quick. if it needs more vodka to close up the airlock, add it and let it continue. otherwise, leave it alone

 

[BigFloyd]

If you're fermenting at room temp this time of year, you probably fermented at too warm of a temp (unless you live way north) and it vigorously bubbled enough through the airlock to evaporate and/or blow out that little bit of vodka.

What's your gravity reading NOW?

 

[Tcl1999]

Well I don't trust that my hydrometer is accurate. I broke my old one and my new one read 1.089 on a batch that had 5 lbs of DME...so I didn't bother.

I have never had a batch that finished up in one day. Not without even slowing down. Anyway, it was running at 72 degrees when it was going good, which is high, but not crazy. 1028 London Ale

 

[Pratzie]

In this case, the accuracy of the hydrometer doesn't matter. It can be inaccurate but that inaccuracy will be consistent (ie the reading will be consistent in the same solution whether its high/low). What we're looking for is a steady reading over a 2-3 day period.

 

[SpeedYellow]

That much vodka couldn't hurt your yeast. But you might taste it. Some folks (me included) are very sensitive to that vodka burn, and won't use it anywhere near their beer. Put 1/8th teaspoon (about 10-12drops) of vodka in a beer and you'll know its impact.

 

[sniperd]

Take a hydrometer reading of a bottle of water, it should read just about 0 (I think? I'm sure somebody will correct me if that's wrong).

 

[kh54s10]

I agree with what has already been said. The vodka would not kill the yeast unless you have a really huge airlock. Was 72 the wort temperature or the ambient temperature? At any rate even 72 is pretty warm and I think the active portion of your fermentation is done.
You could take a gravity reading now then wait 5-10 days then take readings to determine final gravity. The numbers don't have to be accurate.
Check your hydrometer's calibration. In water it should read 1.000.