What to Expect When Fermenting

[memetic]

I was expecting fireworks after pitching the yeast, but am getting candles. There is a little bubbling and fizzing, but nothing near what I read to expect. I am using baker's yeast with a wheat mash. Temps solid around 78 to 80 degrees. Should this thing be bubbling over, or just tiny bubbles coming through the wheat top like I got? Thank you.

[blind drunk]

When did you pitch? No cap?

[Dnderhead]

what happens with the ferment depends a lot on what is in it.much like blowing bubbles in a glass of milk
hole milk will have a lot more "foam" on the top than water. this is because of the fat/proteins.its similar with ferments,
if it has proteins,grain Hals,skins etc. these are stirred up by the co2 from the yeast.so its just a mater of surface tension.
as long as it keeps fermenting no worries.

[memetic]

Thanks guys, I feel reassured already. I am not sure what a "cap" is, but I am pretty sure I got one (I pitched yesterday, about 20 hours ago). There is like a solid inch or two of wheat that has "capped" the surface. It is through this that the few bubbles I see come through. A couple hours ago, I added a little extra yeast that I hydrated and brought to temp and stirred it in. The "cap" reformed quickly after the stir. I am guessing this is a good thing? Still kind of not so exciting a process. Could care less about that, but want to make sure I am actually fermenting properly. Thank you.

[blind drunk]

Bingo

[memetic]

Heehee.

[rad14701]

Sit on your hands, memetic... Don't be a Nervous Nelly keep worrying your wash... Start it and forget it... Sure, it keeps making siren calls for you to come and play with it, but ignore it and leave it alone...

[Dnderhead]

"kind of not so exciting a process'
yes this hobby can be as exciting as angleworms having sex..
and what you fiend exciting now will wear off after awhile..

[memetic]

"kind of not so exciting a process'
yes this hobby can be as exciting as angleworms having sex..
and what you fiend exciting now will wear off after awhile..

Thanks, you just took all the joy out of my life.

[Fastill]

Pick yourself up a clear carboy and sit back with drink in hand and watch the bubbles rise!!!
Its the Home Distiller Lava Lamp...
You could even set it on a flashlight and use it for mood lighting

[The Baker]

"
snip
yes this hobby can be as exciting as angleworms having sex..
snip
..

And if you think that is boring, empathise.

Imagine it from the point of view of the angleworms!

[SuburbanStiller]

I would not call stillin exciting. Rewarding and relaxing is more like it. I like sitting out in the shed watching likker twirl into the jar. My music is the hiss of the propane, the rattle of the beads in the pot, and the likker drops into the jar. I just sit and think. I think about how I'm going to age this batch, what to change for the next batch, what I'd like to try next. I think about my life, my job, my family. I think about winter and summer and fall and spring. But mostly I'm thinkin about drinkin.