first batch in a 15gallon conical w/ no bubbles

[dblott1]

i just bought a 15 gal minibrew conical of craigslist. i wanted to try something simple, so i made a 10 gal recipe of english bitter. i has set there for 2 1/2 day without a single bubble coming out the blowtube. my original gravity was 1.050 @ around 100f and today it was 1.020 at 65f. there appears to be krauzen at the top. the lid is sealed on the conical because when i push down slightly on the lid i can see the water level change and then return to normal after i let off. is the 'no bubbling' a problem? or since there is 5 gallons of air space i shouldnt expect bubbling? thx

 

[samc]

You might have a leak or the head space is too big for much action. When I used a 16+ gallon inductor tank for 10 gallon batches I never once saw a bubble, but the beer always fermented out fine.

In my current soda tank 15 gallon fermenter I get a little airlock action but not much.

Relax it's working.

 

[dblott1]

thx, i was worried with it being my first batch in the 15gal. so its just too much head space then? should i have filled the extra space with co2 right after i brewed it? or will it produce enough on its own?

 

[IrregularPulse]

There is no benefit to bubbles. You are fine. The head space is fine. Don't put co2 into your fermenters. Your yeast need oxygen!

 

[dblott1]

awesome! thx for the quick reply. so all i need to do is check the specific gravity to know when it done right?

 

[johnpreuss]

Ok, so I'm not that experienced but I say next time brew 12-13 gallons and you'll have lots of action. Heck make it a hefe!!!

lol j/k I had the same thing happend the first time I used my 8 gallon bucket on a 5 gallon batch. I was like WTF?!?! where are the bubbles? But it turned out fine.