too cold?

[swatson46n2]

Hi guys & gals

I've been brewing with coopers kits for the past year or so, I've been experimenting with adding hops and so far i've been really happy with the result.

I just pitched a batch of the coopers pilsner, which comes with a true lager yeast. in my house I have a choice of 2 temperatures, in the house it's around 18-19 C, but in the fruit cellar under the front porch it's 9-10 C, it's currently been in the fruit cellar for 3 days with no sign of fermentation, should I be worried or should I relax?

Cheers!

 

[ColoHox]

9-10ºC is fine for lager primary fermentation. Lagers normally require a pretty substantial starter. I am assuming you did not make one, so give the little guys a chance to grow. You might be in for a long fermentation.

 

[daksin]

I wasn't aware that any of the Coopers kits came with lager yeast. If it is ale yeast, 10C is probably too cool for that low-quality yeast in those kits, so I'm guessing they're asleep. I'd warm it up to 16-18C if you can. Be careful because fermentation generates its own heat once it gets going and you don't want it to get much warmer than 19-20C.

If it really is a true lager yeast, 9C is really pushing the lower limit. I'd shoot for around 12C if you can manage it, just to make sure things get going. Lagers are also typically slow to start, especially as this kit probably doesn't include enough yeast for a true lager.

 

[swatson46n2]

Just an update, everything seems to be moving along, there are lots of bubbles on the surface of the wort, which I assume is a sign that there is fermentation going on.

note to self: Never second guess the yeast.