fermentation hasn't started yet?

[AllHoppedUp]

Okay, I just posted this to the Midwest forum as well so apologies in advance - but I need a little help. I brewed a hefe last night and 24 hours later no airlock movement. I know the temp was well below 80* when I pitched. Can it be too low? Temp in the room where it is sitting is 63-64 degrees. Pretty sure sanitation is not an issue. What to do? Warm bath? Move to warmer room? Hope I can save this sucker . . . thanks all! Oh - and yes I aerated well.

AHU

 

[Genghis77]

Warm it up to 68 and give it some more time. If it doesn't show activity in 72 hours, repitch.

 

[AllHoppedUp]

Okay - sorry dudes. Guess I jumped the gun. Two hours ago I sat and watched that airlock for a good minute without even the slightest movement. Now it's bubbling its little heart out. I didn't touch anything. Just looked at it. Now it's fermenting. Maybe I willed it happen . . .

Anyway, sorry for the freak out. Never happened to me before.

AHU

 

[AllHoppedUp]

I guess this poses a good question though. How long should one wait without airlock movement before he really should freak out?

AHU

 

[bleppek]

So unlike a watched pot that never boils, and watched carboy will ferment!

 

[david_42]

72 hours is a good rule at 65F. I like to keep my ales around 75F until the yeast are done growing and the bubbling starts.

 

[Mikey]

I guess this poses a good question though. How long should one wait without airlock movement before he really should freak out?

AHU

Bubbling of an airlock is dependant on having a perfect seal on the fermenter, something that doesn't always happen. I use other clues such as the formation of a krausen, decrease in SG, temperature rise, etc.
To answer your question, I don't even think twice about a 72 hour lagtime- if I'm using a dry yeast that has not been proofed.

 

[DeRoux's Broux]

agree w/ David 42...72 hoursis crunch time.

the yeast was probably a little chilly asnd needed a warm up. it's always better to be at the lower end of the yeast strain ferm temp though. it'll work out great!

 

[DragonTail]

A starter can always help with lag time. This way the yeast is "awake" and ready to "work". I use liquid yeast and still make a starter 95% of the time.

 

[DeRoux's Broux]

good point DragonTail! i'm suprised that wasn't brought up already. :~)

 

[McCall St. Brewer]

I'm doing my first winter time ferment. I was worried that it was too cold in my cellar. When I first got it down there the other day the temp in the carboy was about 61. It took a little longer than normal to get going, but after about 16 hours I was getting a good bubble every 6 seconds. This morning the temp was only 57 when I got up but it is bubbling every 3-4 seconds.

I have seen a number of posts here where people say they brew their best beer in the winter. I hope they are right.

 

[Baron von BeeGee]

Well, for me it's easier to ferment at cooler temps in the winter due to the overall house temperature. Most ale yeasts are said to have their best flavors <70F which is my ambient house temp in the winter, so no extra work required.

On fermentations, I agree with the above. I always make a starter which proves my yeast is viable thereby removing that variable from the equation. Also, watching for signs of fermentation is more reliable than watching the airlock.