Fermentation not started

[johnnie]

Started a kit on Saturday, but nothings happened. There just seems to be lumps floating on the surface. I know what to do with a stuck fermentation, but what do you do if fermentation doesn't start? How long do you leave it for before doing anything? Do you pitch more yeast? Do you aerate again before pitching? Do you raise the temp?

 

[lovelldr]

Started a kit on Saturday, but nothings happened. There just seems to be lumps floating on the surface. I know what to do with a stuck fermentation, but what do you do if fermentation doesn't start? How long do you leave it for before doing anything? Do you pitch more yeast? Do you aerate again before pitching? Do you raise the temp?

Maybe try taking a reading?! Check that it is actually doing nothing?! Might be that it's a quite fermentation?! (So far, not seen one myself from my three brews, but could well be?!)

 

[pittsy]

won't hurt to give it a good mix while splashing it around (at this stage) make sure everything sterile and as lovelldr says check hydrometer and if no change you could re pitch but leave that till tomorrow to be sure

 

[Hollow Legs]

More info would help i.e. type of brew, temp etc. Throwing more yeast in at this stage probably won't help, just give it a good old stir as Pittsy suggested and if in a cold place try to get the temp up to at least 18degs, as I say hard to respond to the info given.

good luck :

 

[johnnie]

It was a St. Peters Ruby Red. Done it before with no problems. Same place as all my other brews. Gave it a stir last night and moved it somewhere warmer, but still nothing. Just clumps about 1cm floating on the surface. I think this might be the yeast. Now I think about it, the heating hasn't been on as much as its been a bit warmer the past few days. :hmm: I've got a few sachets of S04. Should I pitch one in or not? If I do should I aerate the wort again or just stir it? Never had a brew that hasn't started before so not sure what to do.
Cheers

 

[BigYin]

I take it you used the yeast that came with the kit?

Did you check the date on the kit?

What temperature was the wort when you added the yeast?

Did you rehydrate it first? If so, at what temperature?

What temperature is the fermenter at now?

 

[johnnie]

I take it you used the yeast that came with the kit?

Did you check the date on the kit?

What temperature was the wort when you added the yeast?

Did you rehydrate it first? If so, at what temperature?

What temperature is the fermenter at now?

Yes
No
20
No
Not sure (haven't got a thermometer in there)

I Swear it wasn't my fault Guv. :pray:

 

[BigYin]

sorry, not meant to be an accusation of some sort

 

[johnnie]

Only joking :rofl:

 

[BigYin]

So, I would have expected clear activity by now. It is allegedly possible to have a duff pack of yeast - although I never experienced it when I was doing kits.

The other causes could be an infection in the beer that has overwhelmed and killed off the yeast, or not enough oxygen in the beer to let the yeast get get going..

The action of pouring in all the can ingredients, mixing around etc should give enough oxygen initially (I use a drill with a paint mixing paddle!!), so that leaves us with either VERY slow starting poorly yeast, or an infection..

My advice would be to pitch a pack of S04.

It won't do any harm, even if it's not actually needed.

technically, most brewers, myself included, are almost certainly underpitching (i.e. adding to few yeast cells) for the brew size, so a second pack of yeast would actually be closer to where you should be anyway!!

 

[johnnie]

Thanks Bigyin. Sorry you took my joke the wrong way Should I aerate the wort again before pitching or just stir it?

 

[BigYin]

Don't worry about the joke - it's late! - Since fermentation doesn't seem to have started I'd give it a good stir up - although if you measured the starting gravity, take another reading now and if there has been some fermentation going on already, don't be splashing about like mad! A gentle stir will be fine :thumb:

 

[justink]

If your heating hasn't been on for a few days I would suggest getting it a bit warmer will likely help. I have found over the last couple of weeks that although a room feels warm enough in the afternoon sun the whole night and mornings are still cold. A bucket of water will take quite a while to warm up to room temp on its own so sounds like you may be too cold for it to start.

As the other guys have mentioned, there are obviously some other possibilities too.....

Good luck!