Newbie Question

[nicklawmusic]

I'm new to this and out on my first brew last night. This morning there is no sign of anything happening. How long should I wait before I get worried?

Also, I couldn't get the wort down to temperature (I pitched at 22c and the kit says between 18-20c). Would thy have effected it?

Finally I'm brewing in my cellar and the temperature of the beer this morning (according to the stick on thermometer) is somewhere between 18-16c.

Is it normal to panic so much about it?!

Aarrrgghh!!!

 

[bryanooo]

Your pitching temp sounds ok to me. What yeast are you using? Different yeasts have different optimal temps. As for your cellar temp, if it gets any lower that might be too cold for most ale yeasts. I would bring it inside. The lower temp would also cause that slow start as well. I ferment all of my ales at 65f.

 

[nicklawmusic]

The yeast came with the beer kit so it didn't say. I've put the brew belt on so hopefully it will stay warm enough.

 

[r_star61]

Living in Az I also have problems keeping the temp down. I take a wet towel and wrap around the carboy. This keeps my brew almost 10℉ below room temp. I usually see activity in the airlock in about 24 hours.

 

[Pkrd]

Is it normal to panic so much about it?!

Totally!

RDWHAHB

 

[nicklawmusic]

I have a brew belt. How long do they take to generally get your beer up to temperature? I've heard all kind of tales of them 'nuking' your beer, but my belt doesn't seem that hot?

 

[nicklawmusic]

I have a brew belt. How long do they take to generally get your beer up to temperature? I've heard all kind of tales of them 'nuking' your beer, but my belt doesn't seem that hot?

 

[nicklawmusic]

Also, I filled my airlock up yesterday around 40% on the ferment side, 60% on the cap side (if that make sense) and tested the seal on the lid of the FV to make sure it was air tight (it is) but this morning, more water appeared to be on the cap side of the air lock.

Any ideas if this means anything?

 

[RM-MN]

Also, I filled my airlock up yesterday around 40% on the ferment side, 60% on the cap side (if that make sense) and tested the seal on the lid of the FV to make sure it was air tight (it is) but this morning, more water appeared to be on the cap side of the air lock.

Any ideas if this means anything?

Sure. It means that there is a pressure change. That could be from the yeast beginning to make CO2 or it could be a temperature change in the fermenter, or it could even be from an atmospheric pressure change.

Your airlock isn't an indicator of fermentation, it's a simple pressure relief.

My beers often take 30 to 36 hours to show any signs of fermentation. If yours doesn't show any by the end of the third day, open the fermenter if you are using a bucket or look through the side of a carboy and see if there is a krausen ring above the beer. If not, use your hydrometer to see if the gravity of the beer has gone down. Your hydrometer is the only totally sure way to tell if you have fermentation.

 

[sweetcell]

I'm new to this and out on my first brew last night. This morning there is no sign of anything happening. How long should I wait before I get worried?

Also, I couldn't get the wort down to temperature (I pitched at 22c and the kit says between 18-20c). Would thy have effected it?

Finally I'm brewing in my cellar and the temperature of the beer this morning (according to the stick on thermometer) is somewhere between 18-16c.

having the temps fall isn't ideal, so that might explain the sluggishness of your yeast. you want temps to be steady or slightly rise. falling temps can make yeast go dormant.

if at all possible, cool your wort down to final pitching temps before pitching.

 

[BigFloyd]

I'm new to this and out on my first brew last night. This morning there is no sign of anything happening. How long should I wait before I get worried?

Also, I couldn't get the wort down to temperature (I pitched at 22c and the kit says between 18-20c). Would thy have effected it?

Finally I'm brewing in my cellar and the temperature of the beer this morning (according to the stick on thermometer) is somewhere between 18-16c.

Is it normal to panic so much about it?!

Aarrrgghh!!!

No worries. It sounds like your beer ferment is progressing.

18*C is an excellent temp at which to begin an ale fermentation. If you can maintain that temp without the brew belt for the first 4-5 days, do so. I've seen quite a few threads about folks who tried to heat up a fermenter that had actually been at a good temp only to have it get too hot.

 

[nicklawmusic]

Yes, I did just that and it got too hot! I've managed to cool it again but it was gradually working it's way back down to 16c so am going to try using a timer on my heating belt to keep it warm but not allow it to get too hot by coming on and going off at regular intervals.

 

[KarenHauck]

I've brewed three batches of beer and two of hard cider. Each has turned out very well. I panic each time!! It's starting to feel normal to me.