How bad is it to...

[MoPhunk]

Shake your primary on tuesday if you pitched on saturday evening?

If that is not ok how much shaking is acceptable?

I seem to not be hitting my target and was wondering if rousing the yeasties after a couple of days would help.

 

[lumpher]

after fermentation starts, you shouldn't shake it. you can gently swirl it, but shaking aerates it, and aeration causes skunking

 

[MoPhunk]

So i swirled at a medium pace for around 15 seconds. How bad of a thing did I do?

 

[lumpher]

swirling isn't bad, just slowly do it. it should be ok, still. there are several reasons to not hit your target, such as temperature, the grain bill differing, such as using extract instead of grains, different yeasts, etc. there are too many factors to list, but if your fermentation stalls, move it to a slightly warmer room. the moving should swirl it enough to basically remix the existing yeast

 

[camus]

there are several reasons to not hit your target, such as temperature, the grain bill differing, such as using extract instead of grains, different yeasts, etc.

Or maybe only waiting three days.

Let it sit for another week and a half before messing with.

 

[MoPhunk]

Thank you very much for the quick reply. I ferment at room temp 63-64f and this is my first ag brew. Regardless I have gotten the ants out of my pants as to waiting around. This brew will ferment for 3 weeks in the primary and then bottle condition for 3-4 weeks. ( as long as the hydrometer says so)

 

[MoPhunk]

I have never messed with it until after at least 7 days. The first batch I did was an EPA from brewer's best and it said to primary for 7 days and secondary for 14 days. I never took a reading and followed directions.

Second batch I primaried for 2 weeks and secondaried for 2 weeks so I dont mess with it. Both came up .04 away from target. so instead of being 1.14 they were 1.18 as an example.

 

[Gavagai]

after fermentation starts, you shouldn't shake it. you can gently swirl it, but shaking aerates it, and aeration causes skunking

Not true. Only light exposure causes skunking. Regardless, shaking is a bad idea. You shouldn't need to touch your fermenter to reach your FG.

 

[Walker]

Not true. Only light exposure causes skunking.

Correct. And, more specifically, it's ultra-violet light.

 

[flabyboy]

Some yeasts will drop out of suspension a little early, especially if it's too cold for their liking. If you use sound sanitation and take care not to splash, there is nothing wrong with gently rousing the yeast from the bottom of the fermenter. Just stick your sanitized spoon halfway in and purposeful thrust to try and bring them up from the bottom without actually touching the trube. And again. Don't splash and introduce oxygen to the beer

 

[MoPhunk]

Ok so this is what I think now after hearing everyone.

RDWHAHB but if you tip your primary too and fro it's not recommended but there shouldnt be a problem just don't do it in the future.

on the same note if you do swirl with the lid on wouldn't the co2 be the only thing to touch the wort?

 

[flabyboy]

Ok so this is what I think now after hearing everyone.

RDWHAHB but if you tip your primary too and fro it's not recommended but there shouldnt be a problem just don't do it in the future.

on the same note if you do swirl with the lid on wouldn't the co2 be the only thing to touch the wort?

Yes. There should be a nice blanket of CO2 sitting on top of your wort. Best to leave it alone as much as possible

 

[MoPhunk]

It will not be touched again for 2.5 weeks when I measure gravity.

Thanks again.