first batch fermenting photos

[underthought]

Hello,

Do these look right?
Its been about a week and its been bubbling every 30 sec or so the whole time. And the air temp has been a constant 69F
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu240/underthought/DSCF2534_small.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu240/underthought/DSCF2531_small.jpg

I`m going to the store today to get a hydrometer.
Thanks

 

[magnj]

Looks ok, but stop opening it up. What yeast strain is it?

 

[underthought]

I just opened it the once to take a picture. I don't know the strain, I was just given it from the person who sold me the stuff.
I bought a Muntons kit and they gave me another packet of yeast, saying the one in the kit might be too old

 

[cscade]

If it's really only been bubbling every 30 seconds, the entire time, you may have had a slow start from under pitching. That doesn't mean your beer is bad.

Yes, you definitely need to pick up a hydrometer. Does the kit say what the Original Gravity is expected to be? Look for a number like 1.044.

In any case, it looks clean from the photos. When you remove beer to test with the hydrometer, make sure you do so with a sanitized container, and don't put the beer back after measuring (I suggest drinking it!).

Welcome to the hobby!

 

[Rick500]

Bubbles really don't reliably tell you anything about the fermentation. If your lid isn't airtight, most of the CO2 pressure could be escaping from somewhere other than your airlock. A hydrometer reading is the only reliable measure.

 

[underthought]

Thanks for the info guys.
I bought a hydrometer today and just checked it and it says 1.019, kinda wished i check it with a hydrometer a week ago.
So should I pitch the yeast at a higher temperature next time?
or maybe its because I used ruffly the right amount of dextrose, it called for 1kg and I had a 2kg bag, so i just poured half in the pot.

Also I was talking to a different local home-brew store owner and he recommended adding some lemon juice, saying it might kick start it. anyone heard of this??

 

[SporkD2]

Thanks for the info guys.
I bought a hydrometer today and just checked it and it says 1.019, kinda wished i check it with a hydrometer a week ago.
So should I pitch the yeast at a higher temperature next time?
or maybe its because I used ruffly the right amount of dextrose, it called for 1kg and I had a 2kg bag, so i just poured half in the pot.

Also I was talking to a different local home-brew store owner and he recommended adding some lemon juice, saying it might kick start it. anyone heard of this??

Dont mess with it. Take some more readings over the next few days to see if its still going down, some yeast strains are different and just may be working slower.

 

[underthought]

Dont mess with it. Take some more readings over the next few days to see if its still going down, some yeast strains are different and just may be working slower.

okay thanks, that's kinda what i was thinking too since the hydrometer has fell that much already.

booklet says it starts at 1.040-1.044. here`s hoping