Some concerns..

[jpappilli]

So I started my brew on September 9th, I have been keeping the fermentor at a steady 69 to 72 degrees the best I can. There has been little to no activity in my Airlock. I checked the brew and the top has settled and is clear (no head). I checked the gravity last night with a taste test. it tasted ok, kind of watered down for a whiezen beer I think, the gravity is 1.019 which is "finishing gravity" fro this kit. My concerns are 1. I never took a "starting" gravity to compare with what it shows now (noob). My yeast never showed any real signs of doing anything. Should I wait another week to bottle? from what it looked like it didnt seem to show signs of infection.

 

[inhousebrew]

Always let it sit for three weeks before doing anything. While fermentation may be done quickly the yeast can clean up some of its own byproducts it created during fermentation in those extra few weeks.

If it was an extract kit and you know you added exactly the right amount of water and wound up with the right amount of wort you should be pretty damn close to whatever the starting gravity should have been. If it's at 1.019 it's probably about done. Just take that SG hydro reading next time, nothing you can really do this time around.

 

[user 108580]

Are you fermenting in a bucket? Sometimes you can have small leaks somewhere which will allow CO2 to bypass the airlock. If you were looking at your airlock for signs of fermentation you should get out of that habit. I understand it's hard to judge it any other way than that when using a bucket since you cant really see whats going on inside.

I would wait till 2 weeks since brew day have passed (23rd), take another gravity. If it hasnt changed proceed to bottling. If it has, wait another day or 2 and check it again until it stabilizes. Then bottle.

RDWHAHB

 

[unionrdr]

I agree. It's only been 11 days as of today. I wait till the 2 week mark to take a 1st FG reading. Wait 2 days & check again. If it's lower,wait a couple days. If it's the same,bottle it if it's settled out clear or slightly misty.

 

[jpappilli]

Thanks guys, ill check it again in a few days.