First Batch Ever-Quick Question about Yeast

[sfrice80]

I am brewing my very first batch of beer and am somewhat concerned about my yeast. After only 2 days in the primary fermenter (Large plastic container) it basically quit bubbling. I plan to transfer to my secondary glass fermenter in 2 days and am hoping the yeast hasnt died off. Any suggestions or is this normal? The initial bubbling or foam went up about an inch or so and then just tappered off to almost nothing now. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[elkdog]

Totally fine. You have to do something apocalyptic to kill them. Take hydrometer samples if you're concerned, but most of my beers show no airlock activity after a day or two. Just because it's done bubbling, though, doesn't mean fermentation is done. Give it a full week, minimum, in primary to let the yeast finish eating and clean up after themselves.

Edit: Oh, and welcome to HBT! This is the best place to talk brewing online.

 

[kwaidonjin]

also, if you're using a fermenter w/ a rubber grommet that the airlock sits in it sometimes will become wet because of fermentation and co2 will leak out there. it is probably still fermenting though.

 

[WickedLB]

Welcome to HBT! In addition to the other responses, you should know that you do not need to go to a secondary. Wait 10 days or you have 3 days with no FG change (whichever comes later) and then bottle. The secondary is great for dry hopping of fruit beers, but generally an unnecessary step.

 

[sfrice80]

Thanks everyone for your responses and the welcome to the forum. I just recently found this forum and so far its been an absolute godsend!

 

[kyleobie]

You're probably fine - have you taken a gravity reading? As others said, consistent gravity readings will help you understand the state of things.

My first batch barely bubbled at all, but sure enough, it fermented out in about 2 days without my realizing it. I use a bucket and I think some of the co2 leaks out of the seal.