Stealthy fermentation? WLP001/S-04

[sheepcat]

Gentlemen,

I had a weird experience with my first attempt at a chocolate coffee stout. I can post the recipe later if it's relevant. There were no issues regarding the mash, sparge, or boil, save that I ran out of propane midway and had to switch to another tank. It added about an extra 10 minutes at 200 degrees to the boil.

I used a 1L starter of WLP 001, decanted the liquid, aerated by shaking and pitched at 70 degrees. I'm using a blowoff tube submersed in a jug as an airlock, and didn't see any bubbling for about three days. Similarly, the temperature sat at 65 degrees (the ambient temperature) Concerned, I dumped a pack of S-04 on top without rehydrating. Two days later, still no airlock activity, but there was a tiny bit krausen and the temp had gone up to 78 or so. I quickly cooled it down to 68 and it sat there for the next few days.

Turns out that it fermented almost completely though, 1.08 down to 1.02. Is it normal to see this little krausen or escaping C02 in this style? Or is my equipment perhaps defective, allowing CO2 to escape?

 

[BigMack]

As pretty much anyone on here will tell you, an airlock is absolutely not a sign of fermentation. If you were worried about it you really should have taken a gravity reading. I have definitely had a few beers that have had minimal krausen/calm fermentations. If you're using a bucket then it is hard to get a perfect seal, not a defect just how they're made.

 

[andrewmaixner]

As pretty much anyone on here will tell you, an airlock is absolutely not a sign of fermentation. If you were worried about it you really should have taken a gravity reading. I have definitely had a few beers that have had minimal krausen/calm fermentations. If you're using a bucket then it is hard to get a perfect seal, not a defect just how they're made.

*Some* buckets lack a good seal. Look under the lid, and see if there is a removable rubber gasket running all the way around the inside of the lid where it snaps on to the bucket. No gasket = no (or minimal) airlock activity.

The BSG buckets which I like cost a couple dollars more, and have gaskets.

 

[BigMack]

*Some* buckets lack a good seal. Look under the lid, and see if there is a removable rubber gasket running all the way around the inside of the lid where it snaps on to the bucket. No gasket = no (or minimal) airlock activity.

The BSG buckets which I like cost a couple dollars more, and have gaskets.

That is true, but if there was a krausen and fermentation but no airlock activity then a bad/nonexistent seal is likely the issue. I wasn't trying to say that it is impossible to get a bucket with a good seal.

 

[ncbrewer]

Two days later, still no airlock activity, but there was a tiny bit krausen and the temp had gone up to 78 or so. I quickly cooled it down to 68 and it sat there for the next few days.

Turns out that it fermented almost completely though, 1.08 down to 1.02. Is it normal to see this little krausen or escaping C02 in this style? Or is my equipment perhaps defective, allowing CO2 to escape?

I've never had what I would call a "tiny bit" of kraeusen - always at least 1" and usually more. If you're talking 1/8" or 1/4", I wouldn't call it normal, but obviously it fermented, so no problem. How much kraeusen did you get? Did it fall before you looked at it (kraeusen ring around the inside of the bucket)?

 

[sheepcat]

I'm fermenting in a 6.5 gallon carboy, so there's really only the one way for gas to get out. I'll look at a new top for the blowoff tube.

It had a small ring of krausen around the edges, between 1/2 and 1/4 inch. When it was fermenting visibly and got warm, it bubbled up almost to the top of the container.

 

[SeraW]

Pardon me for not being a gentleman, but I once had that strain do that when I kept it cool - 58 for 6 days then a free rise to 68. Barely any kräusen but finished just fine.