set me straight

TRANSPLANTED HILLBILLY · Sat Nov 05, 2005 7:25 am

Last sunday I made up Uncle Jesse's SM. I have a 9galllon plastic, translucent, ferm bucket with air lock. I boosted the grain and sugar by 1.4 lbs/gal to give a 7 gallon mash. This is linear to UJ's recipe. This still leaves 3" to the lid. What I need to know is shouldn't this be done fermenting by now. I have seen no signs of my air lock letting gas out, and the grains inside are jumpimg around like jumping beans. Is there too much air space between liquid and lid to build enough pressure for this to happen. I am using a brew belt as things are getting kinda cool in the garage. Mash temp is rangeing between 70 to 74 F. Last night I thought I would give it a stir, and when I did It was effervesant (with CO2 I assume).
Does it sound as thought things are O.K. or have I screwed things up yet again. I beleive all is well, but fermentation seems to be where I have trouble. I have not taken SG yet as the wash is still pretty cloudy. I have run stuff cloudier than this is and was pretty unhappy with the results.

TRANSPLANTED HILLBILLY · Sat Nov 05, 2005 7:42 am

Forgot to mention. I am using Gerts whiskey yeast.

TRANSPLANTED HILLBILLY · Sat Nov 05, 2005 7:54 am

Would a little vegatable oil do the job? Suggestion?

TRANSPLANTED HILLBILLY · Sat Nov 05, 2005 8:02 am

10-4 good buddy. Thanks a million!

Post by **Grayson_Stewart** » Sat Nov 05, 2005 9:04 am

Seal it up if you just wanna see the bubbler working to know when its finished....I just use plasitc garbage bags over my drums with a single toothpick hole in them...use a rubber band to hold the bags on there.

linw · Post by **linw** » Sat Nov 05, 2005 12:03 pm

One of my fermenters doesn't seal well but a brick on the lid does the trick

Uncle Remus · Post by **Uncle Remus** » Sat Nov 05, 2005 8:31 pm

All of our fermentors now have lids and air locks. Before we had some that we just put poly over and pricked a couple of holes in with nails. After a day or so they looked like hot air baloons, I wondered if they were going to launch into space

When fermentation fininshed they would settle back down. If you see bubbles rising they are working, if in doubt get yer nose close and take a good whiff.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 4:36 am

For me it depends on what kind of product I have fermenting. If my wash is thick & pulpy (like a fruit wash), I use an open top fermenter covered with plastic wrap/rubber band/pinholes ...if it is a relatively clear wash(sugar wash/rum wash,etc) I use a fermenter that has an opening on the top that a rubber bung&airlock fit into.

I have had a couple messy experiences in the past, that is why I do it this way. It works out great.