Teabagging and Bubbles

Cheesefood · Sep 6, 2005

By teabagging, I'm not talking about what you dudes do to each other when I'm not around.

What I'm wondering is if anyone has ever tried using teabags for their hops? Seems like all the good stuff would be able to come through, but all the trub would stay inside. Plus, if you bought bulk hops and spent a day measuring them out in one gram increments, it could make for more accurate brewing in the future.

Next, I have a question about bubbles. I'm not getting any. I filled my primary about 48 hours ago, and I've yet to see a bubble come through. I'm using one of the double-bubble fermentation locks this time, instead of the econolock I usually use. I pulled it out to see if there was any activity inside and there were good bubbles and a wonderful yeast smell, so I'm not worried about whether or not it's fermenting, just curious as to why I'm not getting bubbles. The lid of my primary is on securly.

El Pistolero · Sep 6, 2005

Assuming you're talking about a plastic bucket, I don't think the lids on those things are any where near airtight. All your bubble is escaping around the edges of the lid.

2nd Street Brewery · Sep 6, 2005

It depends on how used there are. My plastic bucket has gotten so much pressure in it that I had to pull the airlock to break the seal and get it to open up.

homebrewer_99 · Sep 6, 2005

2nd Street Brewery said:
It depends on how used there are. My plastic bucket has gotten so much pressure in it that I had to pull the airlock to break the seal and get it to open up.

I've done that before also. The lid just starts looking like a dome. Can definitely say that one doesn't leak...

Did you make a yeast starter?

RogerN · Sep 6, 2005

Cheesefood said:
What I'm wondering is if anyone has ever tried using teabags for their hops?

Yes they have. here in the UK Brupaks "Brewers Choice" range of beer kits use hops and grains in large teabags.
Making the beer is just like making a big pot of tea, niiiiiice.

Roger.

Cheesefood · Sep 11, 2005

homebrewer_99 said:
I've done that before also. The lid just starts looking like a dome. Can definitely say that one doesn't leak...

Did you make a yeast starter?

No yeast starter, I bought a "smack-pack" and let it sit out for 24 hours so that the pack looked like a bloated Capri Sun. I just racked the beer and there was signs that a good fermentation had occurred and was still in process.

My last batch had so much pressure built up that it actually popped the top off the bucket.