Fermentation can take 24 to 72 hrs to show visible signs.

[edmanster]

Would the best course of action be a hydrometer reading?

its the only way

 

[azlightfighter]

If the lid was not sealed properley there would be gas leaking out of it and not the air lock, I would take a reading to see what you have and seal the lid and let if finish or rack to a secondary.

 

[tgriff00]

I'm brewing a Red Ale w/ WLP007 yeast. OG was 1.052 (1.055 target) and I started seeing bubbles in ~16 hours. It has been 4 days now and it seems like the bubbling has pretty much stopped. I was gonna rack to a secondary sunday (6 days total in primary), but do you guys think that this would be too long in the primary since the bubbling has stopped?

 

[redpenguin01]

Well.. its day 5 right now on my first batch. The waterlock was bubbling vigorously the first day then started to curb off. A layer of krausen has formed but waterlock activity stopped completely at day 3. I'm not too worried but a little reassurance would help.

 

[XXguy]

Wait around for another week or two, then pull a hydrometer reading. Yeast dont "forget" how to ferment after they've started. It's what they're born to do.

It's 100 times more likely that your fermenter has a slow leak that's allowing an easier way for the CO2 to escape than the airlock. During the height of fermentation, there was probably more pressure being built up than the slow leak could pass....

 

[redpenguin01]

Yeah, I'm using an HDPE bucket so I was wondering if that was the case. I guess its just a waiting game at this point.
Thanks for the quick response XXguy.

 

[rico567]

As has been said in this and other threads, and on other forums- the airlock is not an instrument that is particularly accurate in measuring fermentation. A lot of the standard "Ale Pail" bucket fermenters have no lid seal, it just snaps onto the bucket rim.

If you want to eliminate this type of leak, US Plastics makes buckets (their 7 gal. bucket is virtually ideal for 5 gal. batches) with a real neoprene 'O'- ring in the lid, which seals the bucket. I got three of these, with lids, for about $33 delivered. Drilled a hole in the lids with a 1/2" paddle bit and installed grommets available at fine homebrew stores everywhere.

The only foolproof way to see where your fermentation has gone is to pop that lid, take a sample and put the hydrometer in.

 

[edmanster]

The only foolproof way to see where your fermentation has gone is to pop that lid, take a sample and put the hydrometer in.

Or be lazy like me and slowly put the hydrometer into your bucket... Don't suggest it but taking samples a couple days in a row with the thief got old to me.. Now I got a refractometer and I just pull a drop and save the tasting for kegging day. I use a foot long 1/8 inch ss tube and just go threw the airlock hole so I don't even need to take my bucket lid off...

 

[redpenguin01]

It just occurred to me while working in the lab today that an easy method to prevent the leaks might be using Parafilm. For me, its convenient and available. Any thoughts or experiences on using this for a better seal?

 

[redpenguin01]

So I parafilmed it.. got a few bubbles. Then the water lock stopped again. I'm thinking I stretched the film out too much in one area.

At least I know it is still producing CO2 slowly. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[Phormula]

Currently fermenting a NB Patersbier with Wyeast Trappist High Gravity. It's been going strong over the past 2 days, but now the bubbles are down to one every 5-10seconds. The only thing I can think of that is slowing it down would be my basement temp. It's sitting at about 64 right now, which is the low end of that yeasts tolerance. Would it be a good idea to move it upstairs and get it up to 70 to finish out?

 

[sofiarunner]

Does using fresh hop leaves increases the taste of beer?

 

[LloydRenee]

I will admit I am scared!! Started my first batch ever this Sunday and followed the manual step by step. I didnt see the airlock thing bubble but have let it be. It said you could peak so I did. slight crack and I looked in and there is about an inch of foam or so with a soft ring around the bucket so am assuming its working. We are supposed to bottle it this weekend although I thought 7 days in the frementor was a bit fast. Its an English Brown Ale so heres to hoping. ANy advice would be great for this noob.

 

[XXguy]

7 days probably is too fast. A hydrometer reading will tell you when you've reached a steady final gravity - That is when you bottle. Don't just bottle it based on days since you brewed.

Read up on this thread: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f39/beginner-extract-brewing-howto-99139/

Just relax and do some reading. The good news is that when you give the yeast the time they need to do the job properly, you'll usually end up with some good beer!

 

[LloydRenee]

Thanks for the link XXguy. I can see where I have faltered already with that link. A good guide for next time!!

 

[Neco]

Don't be scared. Relax. And when it's done, have a "home brew"!

 

[Bookem15]

I have completed my first 2 batches (coopers lager / draught ) and the lager took at least 48 hrs prior to "bubbling" and then stopped 48 hrs later maybe a bubble every couple hrs. The draught has yet to start showing "bubbles" but has a 2-3 inch layer of krausen on top. Anybody see anything to worry about? Also on the draught I figured I would do it different and used a brew enhancer 2 instead of the sugar supplied with coopers kit.

Also thanks to all of you who have given advice in this forum I have learn a lot .

This is going to be a great obsession oh I mean hobby..... Lol

 

[sofiarunner]

hey! i am new into brewing bear! please give me some tips about how should i start.

 

[rico567]

hey! i am new into brewing bear! please give me some tips about how should i start.

Tips are fine, but reading a comprehensive "how-to" book is better. Fortunately for us home brewers, the original edition of John Palmer's How to Brew is available free on-line:

http://www.howtobrew.com/

Since this book has gone through at least another edition and has more appendices, I recommend that you purchase his book as you move ahead.

Hope you enjoy our pastime!

{One of the things not covered in Palmer is that bears should rarely be used in brewing; they're temperamental that way......}

 

[sofiarunner]

Thanks Rico it is really a a great site.

 

[sofiarunner]

is there any other site which i can go through.

 

[absolut_baikel]

I had a different problem, I hope that someone can help me.
I brew a wheatbeer last sinday, using BREWFERM BLANCHE, i had signs of fermentation on top of the carboy (bubbles) but im worried becaus the bubbling in my airlock was realy slow ( like 3 bubbles a minute). It's that normal?

 

[sofiarunner]

is there any other site you know about.

 

[Nate7out]

I am brewing a Belgian Tripel, brewer's best kit. No sign of activity for 72 hours. Took a sample and the reading was 1.040, down from 1.082 OG. The guy at the LHBS sold me on a Wyeast smack pack 1388. After reading here I realized I had underpitched quite a bit because the LHBS guy did not tell me about starters. Temps about 68-69. I will give it more time, seems like it is working slowly.

 

[Bithead]

Nate7out, if your gravity dropped from 1.082 to 1.040 that's THE sign of activity. The yeast are working so leave it alone for 2-3 more weeks.

 

[pauljmccain]

30 hours after pitching and still nothing. yeast came in warm but smack pack inflated. I might have left it outside for to long to get it going though, and it was like 90 degrees out there. getting antsy!

 

[Bithead]

30 hours after pitching and still nothing. yeast came in warm but smack pack inflated. I might have left it outside for to long to get it going though, and it was like 90 degrees out there. getting antsy!

Ummm, you left your smack pack out in the sun?

 

[pauljmccain]

It wasn't in direct sunlight but it was outside on a sunny day. NB directions said smack then incubate at 70-80 degrees... it was 64 in my house. I've decided I'm going to wait 5 days before repitching.

 

[Shoegaze99]

Just posting to reinforce what folks have said throughout this entire thread, because relaxing and patience are important parts of this hobby.

Over the weekend I brewed a strong Belgian dark. 'Twas my first high gravity beer. (I like to brew good drinking, borderline session beers and buy the big stuff.) Pitched late afternoon on Sunday. Multiple vials, but no starter. So underpitched, but not dramatically so. SG was 1.080/1.082.

Obviously it didn't take off right away. No signs of activity the next day. None day 2, either. By the 48-hour mark still nothing; popped the airlock and peered into the bucket with a flashlight. Thin layer of white film on top.

"Eh," I figured, "That means something is going on," and I walked away from it figuring nature would take its course.

At around the 72-hour mark, maybe a little past it, started to get airlock activity. It's been aggressively fermenting since.

No worries. Sometimes nature takes its sweet time. When all is said and done, chances are very good I'll have beer. And it may even be damn good beer.

 

[bigskydrift]

I have only brewed maybe 10 times, and fermentation has always been quick and easy. I just started a batch of Midwest's Copper Ale and used White Labs Edinburgh Ale Yeast, I did not make a starter, having never used liquid yeast before just followed the instructions on the vile. OK I got nervous after 24 hours and no visible sign of fermentation.....then.... came home from work around 11 pm (at about the 36 hour mark) and saw a bubble in my airlock, one every two seconds. Now at 60 hours am seeing a bubble every second.....looks like patience is key with this liquid yeast, next time though, I will make a starter!