Uneven airlock

[Acyr90]

This seems like an obvious question, but I just wanted to confirm my suspicions. Would an airlock sitting like the one pictured below mean there's co2 pressure from fermentation but it's finding an easier way out the fermenting bucket than going all the way through the airlock?

Reason for asking is because mine has been sitting like this for 3 days now after pitching.

 

[eastoak]

it could be leaking out somewhere or it's just building up pressure.

 

[hopmonster2189]

I'm assuming your using a bucket? If you ever so slightly push down on the lid does the pressure make the water move accordingly?

 

[Acyr90]

At this point I'm hoping it's leaking because if its been 3 days and that's all that's build up I think it's time to repitch lol. Hopefully a gravity reading tomorrow morning will set my worries aside. Otherwise, it's off to the LHBS

 

[Acyr90]

I'm assuming your using a bucket? If you ever so slightly push down on the lid does the pressure make the water move accordingly?

Yah that's the thing, even a slight amount of pressure on the bucket lid pushes the liquid up the airlock so idk if its leaking or just crappy fermentation

 

[Chattan]

Check your yeast, it may be bad. I have heard that sometimes the yeast takes up to a week but my experience with doing starters is that the yeast will take about a day to start to show fermentation.

It may be different for dry yeast though. I don't use too much of dry yeast.

 

[hopmonster2189]

I'd start to think about taking a gravity reading and if its still at the OG I'd think about re-pitching some more yeast. Although some say fermentation can take up to 72 hours to start in my experience if it takes that long it won't be a healthy fermentation.

 

[Acyr90]

I'm waiting to take a reading tomorrow, as of right now it's been 48 hours, not the 72 I thought it was (seems longer when you're stressing over a wacky batch haha).

OG was spot on, how much should I expect it to drop in about 68 hours? Was at 1.040ish, Irish red ale.

Used a starter too which makes it even more strange that it's taking so long to get going.

 

[TANSTAAFB]

Go ahead...Pop that lid open and see if there are signs of krausen and set your mind at ease! I've been brewing for almost 3 years now and I still feel like a new mother when I don't see signs of fermentation! I usually brew in carboys now for just that reason. I just had this happen a couple of weeks ago...brewed an extract batch with a friend and used dry yeast for simplicity. 2 days later no airlock activity and I was getting worried. Cracked the lid, saw krausen, and made a note that that bucket doesn't seal. BTW, a couple if days later it really took off and had airlock activity for about 4 days, then died back down. It's OK to peak, and if it looks like no activity you can take a sample and repitch if necessary. Either way you'll feel better and can RDWHAHB!!!

 

[TANSTAAFB]

Hah! Just realized that tomorrow is my 3 year homebrew anniversary! Brewed my first batch with my father in law on my birthday! Cheers!

 

[Acyr90]

Go ahead...Pop that lid open and see if there are signs of krausen and set your mind at ease!

I use fermcap :z so I can't tell if what I'm seeing is actually fermentation going on because there's so little. This is based off of yesterday's observations. I'm waiting to pop the lid again until tomorrow morning when I take my gravity reading

& congrats on 3 years, I'm barely on 3 months! Yay Christmas presents