Fermentation problem or paranoid?

[sonic7173]

Hey, just brewed my first batch over the weekend, an IPA extract kit. I pitched safale 05 on 72* wort temp and moved to 64* for fermentation. Temp has remained stable. No activity in airlock after 24 hrs, some slow bubbling at 48 hrs and now no activity again at 72 hrs. I didn't rehydrate the yeast on recommendation from local shop. Did I not aerate well enough ( added topoff water and aggressively stirred and mixed the wort)? Where do I go from here? I'm thinking give it another day or two and if nothing stir it up and repitch. OG was 1.062, close to the 1.064 the kit called for. Am I freaking out for no reason?

 

[Sailingeric]

Do you have krausen? Airlocks are not always a good indicator of fermentation. Plus most of the fermentation is done in the first few days. Relax, it will be ok.

 

[oujens]

Most likely you are freaking out. Its normal for a beginner. We've all been there. The only way to tell if your beer has fermented is to take a gravity reading. You'll probably find you are at or near FG. FWIW, I have never re-hydrated dry yeast and have had great results.

 

[sonic7173]

I popped the lid on my fermentation bucket enough to see what looked to be a healthy layer of krausen on top. I just wasn't sure if I should be worried that the airlock activity had stopped so soon. I think I'll let it sit until the weekend and if still no more activity then take a hydro reading.

 

[PADave]

Buckets are notorious for not sealing. The co2 goes out the leaks, not the airlock, thus no airlock activity.

 

[eadavis80]

If you have healthy looking krausen on top let it be. The yeast are in a happy place - don't disturb them

 

[RM-MN]

I popped the lid on my fermentation bucket enough to see what looked to be a healthy layer of krausen on top. I just wasn't sure if I should be worried that the airlock activity had stopped so soon. I think I'll let it sit until the weekend and if still no more activity then take a hydro reading.

I like to post this article for new brewers as it answers so many of the questions about their fermentation.

http://www.brewgeeks.com/the-life-cycle-of-yeast.html

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

I popped the lid on my fermentation bucket enough to see what looked to be a healthy layer of krausen on top. I just wasn't sure if I should be worried that the airlock activity had stopped so soon. I think I'll let it sit until the weekend and if still no more activity then take a hydro reading.

10 days is a safe bet your done. If your not dry hopping just leave it alone and at 10 days check it...It'll be done
If dry hopping you can start at 7 days if you want.

 

[GrimBrewer]

My diy fermenter, hole and grommet doesn't seal. My first brew I was very paranoid. No airlock activity, bad beer!!!

Worked out fine in the end. I now use "prestic" to seal the gaps

If you did the basics...give it a few days. Then you take the gravity and dryhop :rockin:

 

[RM-MN]

My diy fermenter, hole and grommet doesn't seal. My first brew I was very paranoid. No airlock activity, bad beer!!!

Worked out fine in the end. I now use "prestic" to seal the gaps

If you did the basics...give it a few days. Then you take the gravity and dryhop :rockin:

One of my fermenters has a piece of plastic taped on 3 sides laid over the hole. It makes fine beer too. I just don't get to watch bubbles.