First time brewing. Airlock activity/infection

[BowDownBowser]

So I just started brewing my first batch last Friday evening. Saturday morning I started to see airlock activity, but now it seems there’s no activity happening with the airlock. There is a strong smell almost like liquor so I think it’s still fermenting. Is this normal or should I check something? Also I’m using a bucket for fermentation so I can’t see inside. Is there a point I should check to make sure there is no infection or just let it go until the two weeks are up and check them before bottling?

 

[ancientmariner52]

How is the smell getting out if not through the airlock? You might try tapping the lid down with a rubber mallet or something that won't do damage.

Is it a good smell? Kinda yeasty bready toasty makes you hungry smell? If so you're doing fine.

Do you have a hydrometer? If so, about Friday you can check the specific gravity and write it down. Check again Sunday. If it is the same, you are finished fermenting. If it is still dropping, wait a few days and check again.

Airlock activity or inactivity is not a reliable guide. Bubbles means something is happening. Lack of bubbles doesn't mean much of anything, if that makes sense.

I'm sure someone with more experience will be along soon with more detailed info, but you sounded desperate. Hope this helps.

 

[BowDownBowser]

How is the smell getting out if not through the airlock? You might try tapping the lid down with a rubber mallet or something that won't do damage.

Is it a good smell? Kinda yeasty bready toasty makes you hungry smell? If so you're doing fine.

Do you have a hydrometer? If so, about Friday you can check the specific gravity and write it down. Check again Sunday. If it is the same, you are finished fermenting. If it is still dropping, wait a few days and check again.

Airlock activity or inactivity is not a reliable guide. Bubbles means something is happening. Lack of bubbles doesn't mean much of anything, if that makes sense.

I'm sure someone with more experience will be along soon with more detailed info, but you sounded desperate. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the help! The smell is coming from the airlock. It smells good. At first it smelled like a fruity bread smell and it keeps getting more and more like a beer smell. Today is the strongest smell wise and you can really smell and alcohol smell to it. Not that my nose is the most accurate measurement tool though haha. I can still see the lid of the bucket bulging like it’s got pressure pushing from the inside and if I shine a light from the other side of the bucket I can see a ring about 2.5 inches tall above the wort/beer of what I’m assuming is krausen. I’m hoping that the fermentation just went quick and it’s all good just wanted to make sure since I’ve never dealt with this before. I was planning on taking the hydrometer reading around 12 days and then again at 14 days and hopefully bottle then. Thanks again for the help.

 

[ancientmariner52]

Sounds like you're on your way. Good luck.

 

[ancientmariner52]

Just a thought. What is your airlock filled with? It's possible, with atmospheric and temp changes, to suck airlock liquid back into the beer. Some folks use Starsan or similar, but I use vodka. Because I have vodka.

 

[BowDownBowser]

Just a thought. What is your airlock filled with? It's possible, with atmospheric and temp changes, to suck airlock liquid back into the beer. Some folks use Starsan or similar, but I use vodka. Because I have vodka.

It’s filled with star San but I think I’m going to use vodka in the future

 

[beermanpete]

If the fermentation got of to a good start right away and considering that two and a half days have passed it possible the fermentation cycle has passed the peak and is slowing down.

If the lid is bulging the airlock might be blocked with the krausen and hop debris. Try pushing gently on the lid to force some of the gas out through the airlock to verify it is still open. Be careful to avoid forcing the airlock and cork out of the lid unexpectedly. If you suspect a blockage wipe the cork and surrounding area with sanitizing solution and then pull the cork out to vent the bucket.

 

[mirthfuldragon]

You can always open the bucket and take a quick peek. Most of my bucket fermenters show minimal airlock activity - even the lids with the sealing gasket are not completely air tight. Airlock smell can and will vary depending on the stage of fermentation as well. Check the gravity after two weeks and then again after a few days - if the hydrometer readings are the same, then fermentation is complete. Otherwise wait another few days and check again. Once you have consistent readings a couple of days apart, then fermentation should be complete. If it is a bigger beer (OG 1.060 or higher), give it some more time before check the gravity. RDWHAHB.