How long before pitching more yeast?

[jwross007]

I just brewed a (BIAB) batch of IPA, OG 1.070. I pitched 2 packs of Safale-05. 24 hours in no sign of activity, no change in OG. My yeast was a little old (6-8mos?) but has been kept refrigerated. How long should I wait before pitching more yeast? 48 hours? longer? This is my 6th biab batch, and all the others have shown activity in 12 hours (luck of the draw?). I'm fermenting at 64 degrees.

Thanks!

 

[m00ps]

Id let it go for another 24 hrs. You cna rock the fermentor back adn forth and see if you get any bubbles in the airlock. 64 degrees should be fine for US-05. But be sure to check the seals on your airlock grommet and bucket lid. There may jsut be a leak somewhere

 

[kombat]

You underpitched by a fair margin, and the yeast are taking some time to build up their numbers before they really get going. I wouldn't worry until at least 48 hours, and I wouldn't seriously consider repitching until 72 hours. I suspect by tomorrow morning, you'll see a dusting of foam across the surface.

 

[baron]

In all my years of homebrewing -- I just ran into the same situation.
I brewed on Sat -- and usually see activity within 6-12 hours.

I was thinking of adding more yeast today if I wasn't seeing any air lock activity or measuring any change in gravity.

Checked last night -- nothing....checked this morning and yes..I'm seeing activity. About 42 hours before seeing anything.
So -- hang in there.

I'd say if you don't see anything within 72 hours -- you might be concerned.

 

[benzesp]

Did you just toss it in or re-hydrate?

 

[eadavis80]

Is it in a bucket where you can't see anything or in a clear container where you can? I know my cider I just did in a bucket never had the airlock move at all, but it fermented down to 1.003. Could just be a leak - only a hydrometer will know for sure.

 

[jwross007]

Did you just toss it in or re-hydrate?

I re-hydrated. ~ 6 gallons into fermentor btw.

 

[jwross007]

Is it in a bucket where you can't see anything or in a clear container where you can? I know my cider I just did in a bucket never had the airlock move at all, but it fermented down to 1.003. Could just be a leak - only a hydrometer will know for sure.

Yeah, my hydrometer is stuck at 1.070.. Which is my OG

 

[jwross007]

You underpitched by a fair margin, and the yeast are taking some time to build up their numbers before they really get going. I wouldn't worry until at least 48 hours, and I wouldn't seriously consider repitching until 72 hours. I suspect by tomorrow morning, you'll see a dusting of foam across the surface.

two packs is underpitching (6 gallons into fermentor)? I thought that was plenty?

 

[MaxStout]

two packs is underpitching (6 gallons into fermentor)?

I don't think so. Those packets each hold around 200B cells. Eight months in the fridge should not have affected the viability much. You rehydrated it. Looks like you did all the right things.

Give it a couple more days before being concerned. I've had US-05 lag a couple days.

 

[jwalk4]

Two packs is plenty.

Even if the yeast was packaged back in January, Mr. Malty advises 1.6 packs.

 

[jwross007]

OK, so kinda funny, but shows my level of (im)patience. They hydrometer reading I took this am has started to ferment right in front of my eyes. A little krausen ring, and OG has dropped to 1.062. I'll get back to work now and stop bothering you guys

 

[kombat]

two packs is underpitching (6 gallons into fermentor)? I thought that was plenty?

If you rehydrated it, then yes, that should have been enough cells. You didn't state that until after I'd already posted.

I'd still recommend the same schedule. Don't repitch until it's been 72 hours and there are still absolutely no signs of life. Even then, I'd take a gravity sample to be sure.

 

[baron]

OK, so kinda funny, but shows my level of (im)patience. They hydrometer reading I took this am has started to ferment right in front of my eyes. A little krausen ring, and OG has dropped to 1.062. I'll get back to work now and stop bothering you guys

Cool -- glad to hear!

 

[eadavis80]

It's always concerning when you don't know if the yeast are happy. Once they start chugging along you always feel better

 

[jwross007]

Quick update and follow on question. After 4 days fermenting (and still going according to my hydro), I'm down to 1.018. All my previous batches (all 8 or so) have been done fermenting is 48 hours or so, and all started faster as well. Is the lag or the length a good thing, a bad thing, or just a thing?

Thanks!

 

[slym2none]

Just a thing.

 

[AngerVT]

1.070 is a fairly big beer. I had a 1.064 drop gravity for over a week. I think you're fine, just give it some time to do its thing and clean up the beer for you.

 

[jwross007]

1.070 is a fairly big beer. I had a 1.064 drop gravity for over a week. I think you're fine, just give it some time to do its thing and clean up the beer for you.

Thanks, seems to still be chugging along Depending on how things play out this weekend, I will probably dry hop on Monday.

 

[AngerVT]

Just following up on this one...how did it turn out?

 

[jwross007]

Just following up on this one...how did it turn out?

Finished at 1.014. Dry Hopped for a week, now I'm cold crashing. Smells awesome! :rockin: