Primary Fermintation help

[Oakwood]

I boliled a week ago and loaded my primary bucket. Cooling it down was a longer time frame then I have read that it should be. I got it close to cool and added the yeast, capped the bucket after my OG of 1.045 (recipe calls for 1.042). About two days after capping it started moving air out the air lock. It did that for about 4 days now it just sits and does nothing. Is this normal? I cleaned everything good with the one step no rinse (I still rinsed) I had a really good rolling boil going. It moved air but now it just sits. I am getting worried that somthing went wrong. I have had some tempature changes (it's winter and I live in an old drafty house). I have one week left in the primary and I will be changing over to secondary (Carboy 5G) and don't want to waste any more time if something has gone wrong when I could start over and get a good batch going.

Please help -


Jim

 

[Orfy]

Have you taken a gravity reading?

That's the only way to tell.
There are other things that can help you guess.

 

[Yooper]

Jim- that actually sounds pretty normal. I'd try to keep it out of temperature fluctuations, though. Maybe wrap a blanket or something around it to keep it at a steady temperature. I'd wait the full week (another day or so, right?), check the s.g., and if it's where it should be, go ahead and rack it to secondary. If it's not where it should be, then let us know and we'll help you out.

In the meantime, RDWHAHB. (Relax, don't worry, have a homebrew) Or commercial beer in your case. The beer knows what to do.

 

[Oakwood]

So because I don't know any better is it okay to pop it open tonight and take a reading of would I be better to just wait till wednesday. I rather wait but if it has gone bad then I guess I shoud toss it. I am only a week into it so I can't see how my OG of 1.045 could change that much in that time.

 

[backwards]

oakwood - don't go tossing anything. simply be patient. adhere to the 1-2-3 method and all should be well. 1 week primary, 2 week secondary (clearing) and 3 weeks in the bottle. most of these folks love that idea and it is growing on me. i would toss out the hydrometer - you are only worrying over it. being patient is just as good. everything i've read says your brew is normal and will be excellent if you can wait. let us know how it turns out.

 

[olllllo]

I'm sure it's fine. I'd wait.
It definately started fermenting, so the battle over any thing bad has already cleared the first hurdle.

The airlock may not be as active as you think it should be but, believe me there's stuff going on in there. You'll know if its bad by the smell and the taste of your sample after you've taken a reading.

 

[JohnnyK68]

That sound just like every brew I have done to this point. Active the first few days and then it settles down some. Are you using a 3 piece air lock? If so is the center piece still popped up? The fermenter wasnt bumbed at all causing any type of leak was it?

 

[Yooper]

So because I don't know any better is it okay to pop it open tonight and take a reading of would I be better to just wait till wednesday. I rather wait but if it has gone bad then I guess I shoud toss it. I am only a week into it so I can't see how my OG of 1.045 could change that much in that time.

Put the hydrometer down and step away from the beer. Come away with your hands up! Leave the beer alone and no one gets hurt.

You're OG has probably changed alot- that's why it was so active when it started. Still, the beer isn't done. The yeast have to finish up fermentation and then clean up after themselves. I'm not sure now when you started this- you said it took 2 days to get going, then went for 4 days, but said you're not moving it to secondary until next Wednesday? That's fine, but really once it's done fermenting you can move it, usually after a week. You can take the s.g. when you move it to secondary- use sanitized tubing and put some in the hydrometer jar. Then, don't put the beer you tested back in the carboy- drink it! It should taste good, like flat beer.

I know it's hard, but try not to worry or to rush the process. Your beer will be fine!

 

[david_42]

A typical ferment takes 1-3 days to start and 3-7 more to finish, so there is a very good change yours is done. Remember, there's billions of yeasts in there and they work 24 hours a day.

Obey the EAC Queen Brewmistress!

 

[Oakwood]

just wanting to smell it and see it again I guess. So I will do what you all say and leave it alone. I don't have my carboy yet. It should arrive tmorrow I hope but wednesday is still the day for me. I will change it over to secondary. Any way to remove the remains of what is still around to clean (filter) it out a bit? I don't want this one to be bad as my live in (girlfriend) has invited my boss over for St. Patties day (and to beat all he is Irish) for the first round.

Did I happen to say this is a stout? Boil came out really dark color, rich smell and just over all happy. Really really looking forward to this. God I hope I don't tank it.......



Jim

P.S.
I will leave it alone and let it do it thing till wednesday, but I would like to filter it some how to clean it as I feel the bags I used while the boil might have not been the best.

 

[olllllo]

Just siphon carefully and don't get greedy. Any trub you pick up will be settled out in the secondary and be much easier to avoid the next rack.

 

[Oakwood]

Thanks, for the feedback all. Just like I am sure you all where new at this and on edge about your first one. I really do mean thanks, I think I will be able to relaxe now and let it do it's think and not worry so much.