Stuck fermentation?

[kh54s10]

Extract batches often stop at 1.020. That is done not stalled. Taste the beer, if it is good I would say you are done. Most of my extract beers stopped near that reading. 1.009 is a target based on calculations and the expected attenuation of a particular yeast. There are many factors which would cause a difference. IMO, your beer is done fermenting.

 

[Jag75]

Every time I've done an extract kit the FG is within the numbers provided on the instruction paper. Now I'm only speaking of Brewersbest kits as I've never done a different kit . The OG and FG has always been accurate. Now a buddy of mine did the toasted coconut cream ale kit and his stalled at 16 for a bit . He had to swirl it a bit and bump the temp up to 70 from 68 to get it to move. It has Acetaldehyde and now 3 days later it went to 1.014. Recipe calls for 1.003 - 1.006. This is the 1st Bestbrewers kit to play hardball that I've seen.

 

[passedpawn]

HIGHLY unlikely that an extract beer is going to stall during fermentation unless there is bad yeast involved. In the case of kits, that's possible. I'd pitch more yeast. No risk or penalty there except for the cost of the yeast.

Did the recipe state the expected OG? Did you make the same quantity specified in the recipe?

I'll drop this flowchart here, though at this point it isn't 100% necessary.

 

[Fransjoe]

Ok, raising the temp is my issue, I don't have a fermenting chamber, so it's in the basement where temps range from 58 to 68, it's been fairly constant and comfortable down there. Using 5 gal bucket to ferment, dont have anything that would raise temp, and SWMBO will not allow me to bring it up to the kitchen, where it gets up to 78°.

 

[Jag75]

Anyway you could wrap it in some towels then get a heat lamp ? Have you looked into fermwraps , they're awesome . For about 50-60$ you could get a fermwrap and a inkbird. Tell the wife it's either up in your living space or you gotta get fermenting temp tools. The temp is a very important thing.

 

[passedpawn]

Ok, raising the temp is my issue, I don't have a fermenting chamber, so it's in the basement where temps range from 58 to 68, it's been fairly constant and comfortable down there. Using 5 gal bucket to ferment, dont have anything that would raise temp, and SWMBO will not allow me to bring it up to the kitchen, where it gets up to 78°.

Just wrapping a towel around it can raise the temperature. Fermentation is exothermic - it creates heat. IF you actually had active fermentation, you'd see a bump of 5°F or more. Yes, I realize you don't have active fermentation right now, but maybe this helps next time.

Put your fermentor in a big cardboard box with a 40W light bulb. Temp will go up for sure.

 

[Fransjoe]

I wrapped the fermenter in 2 throw blankets I have from IKEA, those things warm up fast, we use them to not turn the heater on in winter here in SF. Hopefully they'll work as a good insulator