Fermenting problem

[M_Wag13]

I did two washes and did the same to both. One is going good but the other is stalling and barely bubbling. I did a 35 gallon wash with 25lb of cracked corn and 75lb of sugar with 30 grams of EC-1118 yeast. I did both washes Mon night which was 48 hours ago. Can someone please help.

[MitchyBourbon]

I will assume you have an airlock and you know for certain there is Little or no activity.

You should re-pitch some yeast, but this time do it a little differently. Make a starter. Boil a liter of water and let it cool till its cool enough to handle. Pour it into a very clean 2 liter bottle. When the temp is 90 F or so add your yeast to it, don't stir for 5 minutes. While you are waiting for the yeast to dissolve, get a liter of your wash and bring it to a boil and let it cool till it is about the same temp as the yeast water. Now combine. Stir vigorously to get some air into the mix. When it looks like you are starting to get some activity, pour the whole thing into the stalled wash.

[M_Wag13]

Yes a use a blow off tube. i did re-pitch yeast in it this afternoon but still nothin has changed. It ussaly only takes a few hours for the bubbles to start. Should I try again?

[MitchyBourbon]

Did you make a starter or at least re-hydrate? Or jdid you ust toss it in dry?

[M_Wag13]

Tossed it in. It's my first wash that's stuck.

[bellybuster]

How do you know it's stuck?

[M_Wag13]

I did two washes the exact same way. One took off is workin fine and the other isn't doing anything and the SG hasn't changed in 3 days.

[bellybuster]

That's why I was asking, too many consider no bubbles to mean stuck. Disregard.

[Coyote]

I would say your a bit hot on the sugar - not really bad but anything over 2 pounds per gallon can cause problems.
I would consider adding 2 or 3 gallons of water
What temp is your ferment at?

Coyote

[M_Wag13]

Fermenting around 75 Fahrenheit. I just don't understand why one of the washes is taking off great am the other one hasn't. I did the same to both of them. I'm going home during lunch break to make a starter and see what happens I guess.

[mash rookie]

I am surprised one of them is fermenting and will be surprised if it finishes.

35 gallon wash, 25 lbs of corn and 75 lbs of sugar. Your corn is taking up at least 10 gallons of space. That means that you have 75 lbs of sugar in 25 gallons of water. Sugar takes space as well. 21% target. 1140 sg?
Split it in half with water and re pitch a yeast starter.

A yeast starter is yeast that has been grown up over night with the same content as the wash so there is very little lag time before yeast reaches maximum ppm. You can use less yeast and allow it to multiply. That will work a little better in a high gravity wash.

Folks forget the calculator at the parent site. It can be quite helpful.

[MitchyBourbon]

Have you tried the starter yet? Have you tried diluting you wash with water? Using an active starter will give the yeast the best chance at taking off. If you use an active starter and it doesn't take off then you will know that there is something wrong with your wash that is killing the yeast.

[Coyote]

Good catch Mash Rookie,
Dang it I missed that one.
Yeah split both of your washes
The one that has not stalled yet
will most likely die a painful death

Can you hear the yeasties crying in pain?

Coyote

[M_Wag13]

I use a starter and its doing its job. Thanks everyone for the help!!

[rad14701]

I don't think he's listening... Let him struggle through or fail as he sees fit... Don't waste perfect advice on a deaf ear...

[MitchyBourbon]

Glad to help.