No action in airlock

pat3rol · Mar 14, 2015

56 Hours after pitching wyeast 1098 in 5 gal Northern Brewer Nut brown ale kit no action in the air lock. Wort temp was 70deg and has been between 64-66 ever since. My question is when do i start panicing?

Pataka · Mar 14, 2015

I'm sure you'll get the "airlock activity is not a reliable gauge of fermentation activity" response at some point. It's not absolute, but it's certainly a reasonably safe bet imho. Is there any other activity going on in the brew? Krausen? Foaming? The faint sound of bubbles bursting as they hit the surface? A small amount of bubbles visible at the surface around the edges (much like how beer sits in a glass)?

CUrchin · Mar 14, 2015

If it's in a bucket, the lid seal is leaking. Look for other signs as mentioned above.

F_R_O_G · Mar 15, 2015

o man, if you don't see anything in the air lock you should just toss it. it can get really bad and cause a cloud of poison that will turn you into a goat...

RM-MN · Mar 15, 2015

F_R_O_G said:
o man, if you don't see anything in the air lock you should just toss it. it can get really bad and cause a cloud of poison that will turn you into a goat...

I have a great place for you to dispose of it. I suspect that you can leave it where it is for about 3 weeks before you bring it to me. By then I should have enough empty bottles to put it in. :ban:

RandallFlag · Mar 15, 2015

According to Wyeast Labs, you are at the very low end of the temperature range. Have you considered raising it a wee bit?

https://www.wyeastlab.com/hb_yeaststrain_detail.cfm?ID=7

brewbama · Mar 15, 2015

Did you make a starter? That's a great way to increase cell count but even better - it "proofs" your yeast to ensure it's alive. If no other signs as mentioned above = you may have pitched yeast DOA.