Initial Fermantation Explosion...

[Wayneslucky8]

Hey Everyone...

Didn't see any posts in the recent past about this, so asking now. I just started brewing again after a 20 year hiatus and I am on my 3rd batch. First two batches came out great, even better than I expected. Yesterdays batch though, experienced something new... apparently overnight there was a massive yeast party and there was trub and foam all over the outside of the fermenter, and the airlock was gunked up from all of this stuff oozing out overnight. I have never seen immediate and violent activity like that before, what the heck happened there? Now there is no activity at all. Can I expect there to be renewed activity soon? Did something really strange happen? (I don't remember this ever happening 20 years ago when I brewed).

 

[Rhetorik]

Most likely just a vigourous fermentation. What was your recipe, what yeast, and what temp are you fermenting at?

 

[Wayneslucky8]

I was brewing an IPA... used 7 lbs of golden light DME and .5 lbs crystal malt 15L. I did add a teaspoon of Wyeast yeast nutrient too. Right after transferring to fermenter at 80 degrees and stirring I added 1 packet of Denny's Favorite yeast. Then it went into the spare room where the temp is 68 - 70 degrees.

Mostly what is confusing me is that this vigorous fermentation took place just a few hours after the yeast pitch. I haven't seen that before.

 

[EJay]

This post is nothing without pictures.

Until you really have your system dialed in (and even after), use a blowoff tube for the first few days. Some of us have had to clean krausen off our ceiling. Hasn't happened to me yet, but not at all uncommon.

 

[Gibberoni]

It is wise to invest in either a blowoff tube (just hook it up to the inner tube of a 3 piece lock) or get a fermenter with enough headspace. These things can, and will happen! If you have a high starting gravity and some hungry/viable yeast they can really kick off a ferment.

 

[Gavin C]

• Warm pitch
• Warm ambient temperature fermentation
• No control (ie no brake)

All boxes have been ticked for a runnaway and/or explosive and messy fermentation with all the associated downsides unfortunately.

It's amazing how fast a pack/vial of yeast can multiply and chew through pounds of sugar like that.

 

[Wayneslucky8]

Thanks everyone for replies... my concern was that this happened so soon after the pitch, and now there seems to be no activity. What I am getting from the replies is that fermentation shortly after pitch can happen if the conditions are right. Gotcha.

So now my only concern is that I see no activity... was the yeast party such a blowout that its mostly done? ... or will I maybe see it pick up again? I know that fermentation still takes place after vigorous fermentation bubbles (or explosions) but I just have never seen it take place right after the yeast pitch, so I am curious. Thanks.

 

[seabrew8]

Thanks everyone for replies... my concern was that this happened so soon after the pitch, and now there seems to be no activity. What I am getting from the replies is that fermentation shortly after pitch can happen if the conditions are right. Gotcha.

So now my only concern is that I see no activity... was the yeast party such a blowout that its mostly done? ... or will I maybe see it pick up again? I know that fermentation still takes place after vigorous fermentation bubbles (or explosions) but I just have never seen it take place right after the yeast pitch, so I am curious. Thanks.

I doubt it will pick up again, take a sample. I've had yeast slurry start in less then a hour after pitching.

 

[trogdor447]

I've only had this once.. I got a big ount of yeast from a brew buddy... He does commercial brewing.. I pitched it in a honey Amber woke up to my amazement foam was everywhere all over the wall the hardwood floors etc. Ants were starting to March in. The temp went off the charts, the only way I got it down was to grab a bucket put a few inches of water.. Then a bag of ice and set the exploding fermenter in it. It made one hell of a mess and blew off approx 1 gallon of wort.

 

[pshankstar]

I doubt it will pick up again, take a sample. I've had yeast slurry start in less then a hour after pitching.

Same thing with my last batch. Pitched from a yeast slurry and fermentation took off like crazy in less than an hour. By the next morning I needed a blowoff tube.

What size is your fermenter? Maybe part of the issue is a small headspace. Pics would be great! [emoji6]

 

[Wayneslucky8]

Thanks for all the info everyone. Seems like the yeast just started to ferment very quickly and the conditions were right to create a lot of activity. I am going to invest in a Speidel 30L fermentation tank to give more headroom since I know that this will happen again someday!