Oh no! My bin isn't bubbling!

[KeiranM]

I've just put on a batch of brown ale, it doesn't seem to be bubbling. I forgot to sit the yeast in warm water before adding it to the malt extract, and when I did I was half way through topping up the dissolved extract with cold water...think I've screwed it up?

 

[Titus A Duxass]

How long has the yeast been "in"?
What is the temperature?

I usually just sprinkle my yeast directly on the wort, no problems so far.

 

[nobyipa]

once it all gets to fermenting temperature19c ish

it should get going
give it a day or so and report back

how long ago did you start it?
you temperature ?

:drink:

 

[graysalchemy]

You need to get it up to about 19-20c and keep it there (don't be tempted to let it go higher), it should get going then but may take 24hrs to get fully going. :thumb:

 

[winnywood]

I forgot to sit the yeast in warm water before adding it to the malt extract, and when I did I was half way through topping up the dissolved extract with cold water.

Have you put yeast into fv with hot water and can contents before adding the cold water?

 

[jonnymorris]

I usually just sprinkle my yeast directly on the wort, no problems so far.

It'll work but it's far from ideal.

 

[KeiranM]

Have you put yeast into fv with hot water and can contents before adding the cold water?

I put it in on Sunday night, the temperature might be around 16/17C.
When I put it in the I had just been diluting the wort so I put it into water that was around room temperature.
It's nearish to a radiator that I keep on very low so I might just crank it up a bit

 

[KeiranM]

Well this is the 6th day since I rowed it and it just tastes like water, with a temperature of 18c, so on the advice of the guy from the brewing shop I've wrapped a blanket around it it and stuck it next to a radiator, when it gets to around 20-25c I'll then add more yeast and start again.

Does that seem like the right thing to do?

 

[suj1980]

Have you taken any specific gravity measurements?

 

[TRXnMe]

What was the temperature when you put the yeast in? If it was too hot it could have killed the yeast. Not a problem as you can buy more ale yeast cheaply enough from either you LHBS or Wilko.

Personally I simply waith until my wort is down to around 20 celcius and pitch my dry yeast into the FV, no problems so far :)

You can create starters and that will get your brew going a little faster, but you have to be careful to disinfect the starter pot.

 

[jonnymorris]

You can create starters...

Yeast starters aren't appropriate for dry yeast but you should always rehydrate it for best results. Yeast starters are for liquid yeast.

I'd measure the specific gravity as mentioned above before doing anything else.

 

[rpt]

The only way to really know if it's fermenting is to use a hydrometer as bubbles are not a reliable guide.

 

[KeiranM]

I don't have a hydrometer, when I was in the brew shop today I had a "I'm sure there's something I'm forgetting" moment. I'm putting my bin in a hot bath to raise it to 20c then I will pitch the yeast again after hydrating it. Then I'll wrap it in a blanket and keep it warm.
I think that's the best I can do without a hydrometer.

 

[KeiranM]

Second day since repitching and the brew is doing pretty much the same as before. Keeping it above 20 degrees.
I'm thinking I might just have to abandon it and start again.

 

[winnywood]

How much sugar did you mix with your kit?

 

[KeiranM]

How much sugar did you mix with your kit?

1 kilo

 

[winnywood]

Ok i had a thought that you may not have put any sugar in for yhe yeast to feed on.
I would check it with a hydrometer before doing anything else. It may be done.

 

[KeiranM]

I would check it with a hydrometer before doing anything else. It may be done.

Na I tasted it on Saturday and it just tasted like water.

 

[winnywood]

Without checking it with a hydrometer you wont know whether its fermented or not.
Taste wont tell you anything except whether its a nice beer or a bad beer.

 

[KeiranM]

Without checking it with a hydrometer you wont know whether its fermented or not.
Taste wont tell you anything except whether its a nice beer or a bad beer.

Ok, my friend has one, I'll borrow it off him before chuck it :)