New member

[Woobleymobley]

I am new to the art of home brewing, just started to ferment my first batch Oatmeal Stout
Stopped bubbling after 2 days because I lowered the temperature from 72 to 66!
Not a good idea, I used a heating pad to raise temp back to 72 and started bubbling again.
Did not take long, hopefully it will be good. Broke my hydrometer so no idea

 

[doug293cz]

Welcome to the obsession. Don't think the temp pause in fermentation activity should be a problem. As you've learned already, every brewer needs a spare hydrometer, or three. Good thing they are cheap.

Brew on

 

[AlexKay]

Refractometers:

• are much less likely to break
• require hardly any beer for a measurement
• are much less fiddly about beer temperature

Just remember to use an online calculator to calculate SG once fermentation has started and alcohol is present.

 

[wsmith1625]

Patience my friend, patience. The temperature swing shouldn't be a big deal, but let the beer finish fermenting and start clearing before you package it. Two weeks minimum. And BTW, welcome to HBT.

 

[T Murph]

Welcome to the madness we call a hobby

 

[Cheshire Cat]

Hi
I have just joined this forum. I’m an all grain brewer and restarted brewing about 12 years ago. I live in the Northwest UK in Warrington about 20 miles west of Manchester and 20 miles east of Liverpool. Favourite beers (all) Bitters, APA, IPA, Wheat Beers.

 

[Woobleymobley]

Hi
I have just joined this forum. I’m an all grain brewer and restarted brewing about 12 years ago. I live in the Northwest UK in Warrington about 20 miles west of Manchester and 20 miles east of Liverpool. Favourite beers (all) Bitters, APA, IPA, Wheat Beers.

My family left Mobberley near Cheshire to come to America, landed in Point Tobacco Maryland in the 1680s.
The Bulls Head features Wobberley Mobberley beer.
Just finding my roots

 

[Woobleymobley]

Welcome to the obsession. Don't think the temp pause in fermentation activity should be a problem. As you've learned already, every brewer needs a spare hydrometer, or three. Good thing they are cheap.

Brew on

Yes indeed, learning

 

[bellhp]

welcome RDWHAHB

 

[Cheshire Cat]

My family left Mobberley near Cheshire to come to America, landed in Point Tobacco Maryland in the 1680s.
The Bulls Head features Wobberley Mobberley beer.
Just finding my roots

Yes Mobberley is in Cheshire and there’s a pub called the Frozen Mop which has a tree in it.

 

[Hoppy2bmerry]

Welcome to the forum and this fine hobby, from Long Island NY.

 

[Hoppy2bmerry]

Hi
I have just joined this forum. I’m an all grain brewer and restarted brewing about 12 years ago. I live in the Northwest UK in Warrington about 20 miles west of Manchester and 20 miles east of Liverpool. Favourite beers (all) Bitters, APA, IPA, Wheat Beers.

Welcome!

 

[wallyLOZ]

Welcome from Missouri!
I'll second the refractometer vs hydrometer. Checked them side by side for several batches and never got more than two points difference. Close enough for me. Also remember to calibrate before each use.

 

[Cheshire Cat]

Welcome from Missouri!
I'll second the refractometer vs hydrometer. Checked them side by side for several batches and never got more than two points difference. Close enough for me. Also remember to calibrate before each use.

Thanks

 

[Woobleymobley]

Patience my friend, patience. The temperature swing shouldn't be a big deal, but let the beer finish fermenting and start clearing before you package it. Two weeks minimum. And BTW, welcome to HBT.

Thank you, my brew started bubbling again while I was out of town but has now stopped again. I am on day 15 and I broke my hydrometer before I could get a reading before starting fermentation. I plan to leave it alone for at least another week. ShouldI wait longer or plan to keg it in a week? Oatmeal stout

 

[wsmith1625]

15 days should be plenty of time to finish fermenting. I would definitely bottle next week.

Plan to replace that hydrometer before your next brew day. It's an important tool which helps you know about your current batch, but also helps you understand the efficiency of your brewing method. If you're not hitting expected gravity numbers you can find ways to improve your efficiency or compensate with additional grain.

Here's a link to a great hydrometer that measures in single digits making it more accurate and easier to read.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001X2B4T0?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

 

[Woobleymobley]

15 days should be plenty of time to finish fermenting. I would definitely bottle next week.

Plan to replace that hydrometer before your next brew day. It's an important tool which helps you know about your current batch, but also helps you understand the efficiency of your brewing method. If you're not hitting expected gravity numbers you can find ways to improve your efficiency or compensate with additional grain.

Here's a link to a great hydrometer that measures in single digits making it more accurate and easier to read.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001X2B4T0?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Thank you I will order asap