Skeeter Pee Help - No signs of fermentation after ~10days

[jgilmour]

Hi all -

I seem to have some issues with my pee.

About 10 days ago I did a 5gal batch of Skeeter Pee with some of the yeast cake of some cider, along with 2 rehydrated packs of 71B-1122. It has not shown any signs of fermenting as of yet (both hydrometer readings and airlock activity).

When I first made the pee, I only boiled the sugar water for 5min instead of the 30 that it stated in the directions so I'm wondering if this could have contributed to it not fermenting. I also didn't let it sit overnight with just a towel over the carboy, I immediately pitched the yeast & cake and then aerated and placed an airlock over it.

After waiting 2 days I took the airlock off, and let it sit overnight with just a towel over it and have been aerating it every day since then, yet still no signs of fermentation. I also have been monitoring the temperature and its been at 68-72F.

I am out of yeast at the moment, so I ordered some EC-1118 yet it won't be here until Wednesday. I was planning on making a starter with the must of the pee and let it build up until I get a half-gallon or so, but my question is do you think the pee is still ok, or should I dump it and start over? Also any other suggestions as to what I should be doing now?

Thanks!

 

[Noe]

Did the recipe say to start out under an airlock? Because if it didn't the lack of oxygen probably killed off the yeast.

 

[jgilmour]

It didn't it stated to put a towel over it for 24-48 hours, which i didnt do until the third day or so. I re-pitched yeast afterwards tho.

But good news! I came home today with a frown on my face, opened the airlock, gave it some swirling and threw back on the airlock. Within a few mins it was starting to bubble. I then woke up this morning to the airlock bubbling every 5-10 seconds! Not sure how vigorous it's supposed to be bubbling, but I may pitch some more yeast on wednesday when I get the EC-1118.