First Batch of home brew

[ElKabong]

Yesterday I started to brew my first batch (making coopers IPA) after I boiled 3 gallons of the wort i cooled to around 120 deg and added 2 gallons of water after i transferred from pot to fermenter. I then added dry yeast (according to instructions) and mixed. Temperature approx 85 deg. after 12 hrs no sign of fermentation. I am worried that the temperature was too high when i added the yeast. SP GR was 1.042

 

[bernerbrau]

85 degrees? You're safe.

Give it at least 72 hours, and at that point if you don't at least see bubbles or krausen (which while visually pleasing are not terribly good indicators of fermentation), take a gravity reading to see if fermentation is taking place.

 

[unionrdr]

And next time cool it down more to 65-70F. You'll get some off flavors from the high initial ferment temps. Unless it takes a day oe two to get started visually fermenting. Then you might dodge the bullet,having had time to cool down to room temp or therabouts.

 

[Pezman1]

Next time, buy at least one gallon of spring or drinking water and put it in the freezer several hours before you brew. One gallon of near freezing water brings down the temps in a hurry.

Also, buy a few extra packs of dry yeast and keep them in the fridge for emergencies.

I would repitch if you don't see fermentation signs in 48 hours, but you will most likely be fine.

Pez.