Question concerning Yeast

[naff123]

So i've started my first Raw Material Brew of Wine today.

I'm worried I may have killed the yeast as the instructions say add when still Luke Warm so I dipped my hand in the bucket it didn't burn so I added it but I am worried it may still of been too hot.

I have 14 days till it needs bottling how do I know if the yeast is a goner? And can I fix this?

 

[Chippy_Tea]

What are you making and with what?
What instructions are you following?
Do you have a hydrometer?

 

[naff123]

What are you making and with what?
What instructions are you following?
Do you have a hydrometer?

I'm making a Barley, Orange and Lemon Wine from a recipe from 1851.

Got a gallon and half of water, 1 Lemon, 1 Orange, 2 Teaspoons of Gingers.

I have a Hydrometer and tbh I don't actually know (forgive me) what I am looking for as I haven't brewed anything since 2014.

I did it 24 hours ago maybe I am paranoid but I can smell a more pungent aroma but I haven't noticed much in terms of the yeast doing much.

Again this could be paranoia and impatience.

 

[cheapbrew]

Wait and see if it gets going, it needs to be over 54C to kill yeast and that is about as hot as your hand can stand, hot tap is approx 60C, if it doesn't get going just repitch more yeast.

 

[Aiseant]

Well, even if you don't know what the numbers mean, you can still use the hydrometer to check that the fermentation process is still going on : take an initial reading and after few days another. If yeast is eating the sugar as it should, the second reading will be lower than the first.


Mason ! The numbers ! what do they mean ? Ok, I'm out :whistle:

 

[Chippy_Tea]

There is a how to read hydrometers guide here :thumb: http://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=60895

 

[naff123]

Took a read last night but the problem I have is because I've used a fermentation bucket designed for 6 gallons I've only filled it up to 1.5 Gallon there isn't enough depth for the hydrometer! But It has definitely lowered because at first it bobbed on the top now it has hit the bottom of the bucket

 

[Chippy_Tea]

You can get a plastic trial jar from wilko for a couple of quid. :thumb:

 

[naff123]

The next wine i intend to do after this one is an Apricot Wine I'll make a 5 gallon batch of it!

 

[chewie]

The next wine i intend to do after this one is an Apricot Wine I'll make a 5 gallon batch of it!

Best to iron out any problems making a few smaller 1 gallon batches before going for bigger 30 bottle batches.

 

[Chippy_Tea]

If its the first time i would try a gallon, i wouldn't want 5 gallons of something i didn't like.

 

[naff123]

This is true tbh that is what I am doing with this current wine, i'm trying to do it in the same crude way it has been done for the last 150 years of so keep it as authentic as possible without the help of any specialist equipment

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Good luck. :thumb: