How long in fermenter
Re: How long in fermenter
I put a batch of Coopers Mexican Cerveza in the fermenter 2 days ago. Within 24 hrs the airlock was bubbling away nicely,but today it seems to have ceased. What is the reason for this? is it ever possible for it to finish this soon. (25 temp)
Re: How long in fermenter
I don't think it would have finished that soon, even at 25ºC.
Perhaps the cooler overnight temperatures slowed the yeast down.
Maybe you have a slight leak in the seal on your fermenter, and the initial vigorous fermentation may have bubbled along, but once it slowed, it may just slowly leak without bubbling through the airlock.
I suggest you give your fermenter several twirls from side to side (avoid splashing) to rouse the yeast. It may get it going again. Apart from that, just wait, and take a reading after about 5 days to see where you are at.
Perhaps the cooler overnight temperatures slowed the yeast down.
Maybe you have a slight leak in the seal on your fermenter, and the initial vigorous fermentation may have bubbled along, but once it slowed, it may just slowly leak without bubbling through the airlock.
I suggest you give your fermenter several twirls from side to side (avoid splashing) to rouse the yeast. It may get it going again. Apart from that, just wait, and take a reading after about 5 days to see where you are at.
Re: How long in fermenter
Exept for the 1st 24 hrs there has been no more airlock activity. Also the water in the airlock is just about level again. Its only been fermenting for 3 days and I will wait for a few more days b4 checking SG.
Re: How long in fermenter
I agree with warra, leaky fermentor. Your hydrometer is your friend... it does not lie 
Re: How long in fermenter
Im pretty sure my hydrometer is a fairly decent one. My misses got it for me from the HB shop and as Im very new to this I dont have anything to compare it too. All I know is that its glass and has markings for beer,wine,table wine,dessert wine......is that any help?? Is it normal for a fermenter to have a leak that is just 2 weeks old??
Re: How long in fermenter
Many things can cause the leaks. It is probably the most common problem with new brewers. I do not worry about it myself, I don't even bother to take gravity reading anymore either. But for a new brewer I think it is best to do so, it will give you a feel for how long certain yeasts take for different ingredients at given temps.
Re: How long in fermenter
Leave it for a few more days, say 5-7 days since you pitched the yeast, then bottle. It'll be just fine; the Coopers yeast is the fastest fermenting yeast I've ever used.
w00t!
Re: How long in fermenter
My turn, my turn.............
I've got a basic K&K with S-23 yeast going in the fermenter thats been pretty stable at 14 degrees.
Its been down for 20 days.
This is my 4th brew and all the others have been less than 16 days so far.
Checked SG readings the last 4 days have been 1020, 1018, 1017, 1015.
Leave it a bit longer?
I do have another fermenter I could rack into (but never done that).
It was a Brewcraft Munich Lager with #15 converter and S-23 yeast.
Over to you guys..........
I've got a basic K&K with S-23 yeast going in the fermenter thats been pretty stable at 14 degrees.
Its been down for 20 days.
This is my 4th brew and all the others have been less than 16 days so far.
Checked SG readings the last 4 days have been 1020, 1018, 1017, 1015.
Leave it a bit longer?
I do have another fermenter I could rack into (but never done that).
It was a Brewcraft Munich Lager with #15 converter and S-23 yeast.
Over to you guys..........
Re: How long in fermenter
Don't bottle it yet, as your SG is not stable and continues to drop. Leave it for a few more days and check it again then.
If you want to, you can gradually raise the temp to about 18ºC for a diacetyl rest.
I'd then rack it and lager it in bulk at about 2ºC for a few weeks, or as long as you can hold on, before bottling it.
If you want to, you can gradually raise the temp to about 18ºC for a diacetyl rest.
I'd then rack it and lager it in bulk at about 2ºC for a few weeks, or as long as you can hold on, before bottling it.
Re: How long in fermenter
Righto, sounds like a plan.warra48 wrote:Don't bottle it yet, as your SG is not stable and continues to drop. Leave it for a few more days and check it again then.
If you want to, you can gradually raise the temp to about 18ºC for a diacetyl rest.
Not set up for lagering so I guess I could rack it and let it sit in another fermenter for another week or so, would that be worthwhile?warra48 wrote:I'd then rack it and lager it in bulk at about 2ºC for a few weeks, or as long as you can hold on, before bottling it.
Re: How long in fermenter
That would be fine. Can you put the second fermenter in the fridge, to help clear it before bottling? If not, the cold winter temperatures will help in that process.spatch wrote: Not set up for lagering so I guess I could rack it and let it sit in another fermenter for another week or so, would that be worthwhile?
Re: How long in fermenter
No mate, the shed fridge died a year or so ago and has become the "fermenting insulated cupboard".warra48 wrote:That would be fine. Can you put the second fermenter in the fridge, to help clear it before bottling? If not, the cold winter temperatures will help in that process.spatch wrote: Not set up for lagering so I guess I could rack it and let it sit in another fermenter for another week or so, would that be worthwhile?
Would'nt mind another one but can't be bothered making space for another one (already got the dead brew fridge
and the bait freezer in the shed).