Newbie here, so I may be completely incorrect, but I started my first batch on Wednesday (the 31st) with the following recipe:
3-4 pounds wildflower honey (had to estimate pouring from a 5 pound container)
1 gallon distilled water
.5 tsp yeast nutrient
.25 tp yeast energizer
1 packet Lalvin EC-1118
I followed the directions as given in The Compleat Meadmaker, but after 5 days of no obvious fermentation (no movement other than slight offsetting in the airlock), I finally broke down and opened the fermenter to take a look.
There's no bubbling, no foam, no nothing. It does smell somewhat of alcohol, but I've taken to understand that there should be some visual sign of the fermentation. Are there any tricks I can try, or is the batch likely inactive for some reason? Am I completely misunderstanding things and shouldn't be able to see any obvious signs of the yeast doing its' thing?
I know I'm likely just being a neurotic newbie, but I'd appreciate any advice people can offer.
3-4 pounds wildflower honey (had to estimate pouring from a 5 pound container)
1 gallon distilled water
.5 tsp yeast nutrient
.25 tp yeast energizer
1 packet Lalvin EC-1118
I followed the directions as given in The Compleat Meadmaker, but after 5 days of no obvious fermentation (no movement other than slight offsetting in the airlock), I finally broke down and opened the fermenter to take a look.
There's no bubbling, no foam, no nothing. It does smell somewhat of alcohol, but I've taken to understand that there should be some visual sign of the fermentation. Are there any tricks I can try, or is the batch likely inactive for some reason? Am I completely misunderstanding things and shouldn't be able to see any obvious signs of the yeast doing its' thing?
I know I'm likely just being a neurotic newbie, but I'd appreciate any advice people can offer.