Well I'm an idiot...

[yeasties]

Made a batch last night while I was already busy and realized this morning that I put potassium sorbate in instead of nutrient! **** is there anything I can do to get it fermenting or did I just make some really good lemon honey water?


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[Newsman]

Hmm... I'd say give it a couple days then re-pitch the yeast and see if that works.

 

[yeasties]

Ok... At least there's hope lol. This is my 3rd batch and the one I wanted I make the most so far lol. Got some really good honey from a friends bees that is super delicious. Hoping I can revive it


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[Newsman]

Yeah, I'd suggest letting the sorbate dissipate and then doing a massive pitch and hope for the best. That's just my gut feeling though, based on what has been suggested for making hard cider from raw (unpasteurized) juice and/or preserved juice. Depending on how much Sorbate you put in, you may need to make a second batch (or a double-batch) and use that to dilute the sorbate.

 

[botigol]

If it comes to the point of re-pitching, make sure to build a large starter. Since sorbate inhibits the reproduction of yeast, you will need the large, healthy yeast population in order to get the fermentation going.

 

[yeasties]

I like reasons to make more lol. I can definitely do that


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[yeasties]

How large of a starter should I make for the double batch, it will be 2 gallons after I add them together. And do I have to worry about oxidation still since it hasn't really started fermenting?


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[Newsman]

I dunno... maybe 2 liters...step it up, though.

 

[Newsman]

I'm just guessing here.

 

[yeasties]

Lol ok


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[Newsman]

You might ask one of the more experienced brewers on here... I've never made the first Mead.

 

[botigol]

Given that you will have diluted the sorbate by half once you add the second batch and your total volume will be only 2 gallons, you may not have to do much or anything. After that addition, I would wait to see what happens.

Don't worry about oxidation, some oxygen will actually do it some good...give it a good stir so that the yeast have access to some additional oxygen. Did you aerate before pitching the yeast? What kind of yeast did you use? What was your OG?

 

[yeasties]

I don't have a hydrometer so I don't know the og. But I did aerate like crazy and I used lalvin d47.


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[botigol]

Did you pitch the full packet? Did you rehydrate?

 

[yeasties]

I rehydrated about half the package for about 2 hours


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[botigol]

Here is what I would do:
1. Make the must for your second batch.
2. Rehydrate the rest of the yeast for only 20-30 mins and then add 1/4 cup of the must from this second batch.
3. After two hours add another 1/2 cup of the new must.
4. After another two hours add 1 cup.
5. After another two hours, pitch into your new batch.
6. Add nutrient to your original batch.
7. After 12 hours or so, combine the batches.

You can push this further, step-feeding in two hour increments before combing the batches, but for 2 gallons this seems like enough.

You may have done some damage to the yeast from your first batch. I have no expert knowledge on this part, but 2 hours is much longer than I have ever rehydrated yeast, without step-feeding, and is much longer than Lalvin recommends.

 

[botigol]

Post script: This is just a conservative approach to have the best chance of success. Like I wrote earlier, just combining the batches might be enough to get things going.

 

[yeasties]

Awesome. Thanks so much for the help.


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[botigol]

You're welcome!

 

[yeasties]

Well.... It worked! Checked this morning and there is a ton of bubbles on top. Need to seal the airlock better though because it's not bubbling but I know that it's fermenting at least. Thanks guys for your help. Now to figure out what recipe to do to use my palmetto berry honey and I'll be set lol


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[Newsman]

Congrats!