When to throw a batch out?

[benharper13]

So if you have read my other post you'll know that I was dumb and boiled the yeast on my first batch, so obviously it didn't start fermenting. Once I realized my mistake I re pitched it and I did a new batch at the same time last night. The old batch had been sitting for 2 1/2 days before I repitched it.

This morning the new batch has started I can see some slow action in the air lock while the other batch, old batch, is still doing nothing. I plan on giving it at least 2 or 3 more days but after that I assume I should throw it out and try another batch but I wanted some feedback.

 

[baystatebrew]

yeah what directions were you following? basic brewing is a really simple like 10 step process prior to fermentation. pitching the yeast is like step 10, whereas you put it in around step 2 or 3. not sure how that happens...unless you were just giving it all a shot without any directions maybe?

anyway sounds like that second batch is coming along so congrats. yeah you might have to toss batch 1. i wonder though. you still had wort even though it had boiled yeast in it. re pitching i would think might work since you had plenty of sugar available for the fermentation process to begin. i wonder if the boiled yeast renders yeast added later ineffective. apparently it does.

 

[jfr1111]

Why would you throw it out ? The fact that it has been sitting without fermentation in an airtight bucket/carboy for a few days ? I'd taste the sample and unless it was infected, growing mold or was giving off really weird flavours (satan's anus for example), I'd just wait and repitch. Don't give up so easily. Also, the fact that it hasn't shown any fermentation signs yet doesn't mean the yeast isn't at work. I've seen perfectly fine beers that hit their final gravity that never formed a beatiful thick krausen. One in particular that I helped a friend brew looked like wine while fermenting: wimpy bubbles once in a while. We thought for sure that it was infected since it kept going at it for three weeks, but in the end, it was a solid beer. Not the best ever, but very serviceable without any off flavours (it was watery due to pretty low original gravity and no speciality grains, but it was beer)

Maybe you could up the fermentation temp for a little while to get it started.

 

[benharper13]

I didn't throw the yeast in the boil I boiled the water in the last step and didn't let the water cool down before I put the yeast in to pitch it

 

[BillTheSlink]

First things first. On beer #1 did you use your hydrometer to take an Orginal Gravity Reading? If so take one now and see if it dropped. Just because you don't have airlock activity doesn't mean it isn't fermenting. The gasses could be leaking out the lid or around the air lock.

Next don't panic. Just repitch some yeast if you truly do not have fermentation as indicated by a hydrometer reading. Style permitting I would go with a dry, properly hydrated, and fresh dry yeast so you know you have plenty of viable cells. Also let it get a little warm, like mid-70's until fermentation takes off.

 

[DrinkinSurfer]

As long as everything in batch one was well sanitized you should be fine. Take hydro readings and practice proper sanitation and you should be fine. People have fermentations that take forever and a day to start and they are still fine.

 

[Nurmey]

You just re-pitched yesterday so give it at least a couple weeks before you do anything with batch one. Trust your yeast and pretend that batch isn't even there. It doesn't need any messing with for a few more weeks.

There is absolutely no reason to think that it won't turn out. The rule is that no batch is tossed until it is finished, bottled, and age for a long time.

 

[BillTheSlink]

You just re-pitched yesterday so give it at least a couple weeks before you do anything with batch one. Trust your yeast and pretend that batch isn't even there. It doesn't need any messing with for a few more weeks.

There is absolutely no reason to think that it won't turn out. The rule is that no batch is tossed until it is finished, bottled, and age for a long time.

Opps, I missed where he re-pitched yesterday. I have had a couple of Pale Ales You shouldn't worry about re-pitching again if you don't see the hydrometer move for several more days. The advise about letting it sit in a warm place until it starts still holds though. I leave mine in a warm room until they start and then move them into a swamp cooler.

 

[benharper13]

my basement is cooler then the house but still around 70 how could I ge5 it cooler without freezing my wife?

 

[ChshreCat]

Do a search for "swamp cooler" up at the top. You'll find everything you need to know.