First All grain not bubbling!

[DreBourbon]

Just brewed my 1st all grain batch Jan 15th and my airlock is bubbling very very slowly. Temp is at 68F and I don't know what I did wrong or am I being impatient. Brewed my second batch 2 days ago and that one isn't bubbling either. Pretty sure my seals are tight. Thoughts?

 

[acidrain]

Did you crush the grain before mashing?
What is the grainbill and volumes?
At what temperature did you mash?

 

[JLeuck64]

I would be interested to learn what you did to prepare the yeast before you pitched it in? If liquid was used did you build a starter. If dry yeast was used did you re-hydrate? What fermenter are you using?

I don't get too concerned about the airlock activity these days... unless it is going bat $hit crazy early on. That usually indicates I will have to worry about the krausen being pushed into the airlock at some point and makes it necessary to be on clean up detail.

I've had batches that the airlock activity seems to be less than or slower than what I expect it should be. Those batches still finish at the gravity they should. The hydrometer will tell you more about fermentation than the airlock will ( ;

 

[Zuljin]

Push on the lid. That'll make bubbles.

Take gravity readings. If it's going down, it's fermenting.

 

[DreBourbon]

That makes sense. The grains were pre crushed (bought a kit) and I mashed at 149F and it's now in a pail. Last time I checked the gravity was going down so I should be good, also rehidrate the yeast before pitching. Guess I'm just used to lots of bubbling from extracts. Lol

 

[thespiff]

Someone needs to start making clear buckets. Whatever it takes, just make the damn bucket clear. Not a big mouth bubbler, but a clear bucket. And all opaque buckets should be relegated to hauling grains and liquids around. This would eliminate all the "no airlock activity" questions.

 

[blizz81]

Someone needs to start making clear buckets. Whatever it takes, just make the damn bucket clear. Not a big mouth bubbler, but a clear bucket. And all opaque buckets should be relegated to hauling grains and liquids around. This would eliminate all the "no airlock activity" questions.

Then there would be 10x more "is this normal krausen? Is this infected?" threads.

 

[brewprint]

Someone needs to start making clear buckets. Whatever it takes, just make the damn bucket clear. Not a big mouth bubbler, but a clear bucket. And all opaque buckets should be relegated to hauling grains and liquids around. This would eliminate all the "no airlock activity" questions.

I would surely buy those clear buckets!

Topic related: Don't worry! The beer will surely ferment...but maybe not as hard as the extract. Regardless; I guarantee that you'll like the beer more.

 

[TexasDroughtBrewery]

I prefer to use my plastic carboy b/c its fun to watch the beer change. I would buy clear buckets also. You should develop this!!

 

[TexasDroughtBrewery]

Just brewed my 1st all grain batch Jan 15th and my airlock is bubbling very very slowly.

Wait so it is bubbling.....

 

[slym2none]

Then there would be 10x more "is this normal krausen? Is this infected?" threads.

"Tru dat!"

 

[Psylocide]

My smoked porter isn't bubbling, but I know it's fermenting.

A quick way to check, pull out the airlock and look through the hole.

If you can see the krausen, you're all good.

 

[blizz81]

I prefer to use my plastic carboy b/c its fun to watch the beer change. I would buy clear buckets also. You should develop this!!

Well, they already make a product that provides the clear functionality, as well as a better opportunity for an airtight seal (vs. a bucket lid), and far less headspace surface area should you choose to age in one.


You already have one...the plastic carboy! It's a miracle!

 

[TexasDroughtBrewery]

Well, they already make a product that provides the clear functionality, as well as a better opportunity for an airtight seal (vs. a bucket lid), and far less headspace surface area should you choose to age in one.


You already have one...the plastic carboy! It's a miracle!

But I prefer the buckets in pretty much all the other ways except it being clear. Its easier to handle b/c it has a handle, its cheaper, you don't need to siphon a test really you can just put the hydrometer right in there, easier to clean, I could go on but you get it.

 

[DreBourbon]

Yeah, I've made a few batches directly in my Carboys even had one explode cause Idiot here didn't realize they aren't heat treated.

 

[JLeuck64]

Somebody should make a GLASS bucket! Yea... that would be cool ( ;

 

[DreBourbon]

It's called a carboy.

 

[JLeuck64]

Naw.... those have small necks. I am talking a bucket made from glass with a wide a$$ lid! Easy to clean ( ;

 

[Pantherjon]

^^^Easy to break too...

 

[blizz81]

Naw.... those have small necks. I am talking a bucket made from glass with a wide a$$ lid! Easy to clean ( ;

What's easier than a PBW soak? (Though PBW doesn't grow on trees, so definitely cheaper to clean a bucket)

 

[JLeuck64]

In my simple mind... a plastic bucket will always be easier my friend ( ;

 

[DreBourbon]

Turns out it was just a poor seal on my lid. She fermented ok. Thanks everyone.