Lager Fermentation Activity

[dwolf]

I've made a couple lagers, and can only recall the last lager I made, but the one i just pitched does not seem very active. The airlock doesn't seem very active when watching for 30 seconds. Is this common with lagers that are pitched around 52deg F? Should I open the fermenter and look to see what is going on in there? Should I add some yeast energizer?

thanks,
David

 

[Yooper]

Lagers use a bottom fermenting yeast, although I've almost always seen krausen on them. If you think it's not going and it's stalled or stuck, you could check the SG to make sure fermentation is occurring. I'd probably be inclined to leave it for a week and then check it, though.

 

[dwolf]

Thanks I'll give it some time.

 

[SwampassJ]

How much yeast did you pitch? I usually pitch a little more than what Mr.Malty calls for but I also bitch below ferment temp and let it rise after pitching.