I started a new 4 gallon wash with 10lbs of white sugar and 1lb of brown sugar. I started a packet of yeast in two cups warm water and added 4 teaspoons of nutrient. I then added the yeast to the wash in my clear fermentation bucket. It started fermentation, and got a small 1/2" inch foam cap. It has been active since Sunday a.m., tonight the cap is clearing off and there doesnt seem to be any activity or bubbles rising. The was is still sweet, but partially fermented by my tastes.
Is it still fermenting, and will it finish fermenting the rest of the sugar? The was is still cloudy, my first wash turned clear.
Could some of the experienced hands give me a little guidance?
Thanks,
Whats wrong?
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Grayson_Stewart
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What kind of yeast did you use? Do you have an air lock on the fermenter or just the lid placed on the fermenting bucket?
If only the lid, the CO2 could be escaping unnoticed from around the edges as fermentation slows. Try removing the lid and placing a garbage bag loosly over the fermenter, then constrict the edges with a large rubber band. If the wash is still off gasing it will fill and expand the garbage bag and you can simply place a very small pin prick in the bag to allow gasses to escape.
Did you take an initial specific gravity reading?
If only the lid, the CO2 could be escaping unnoticed from around the edges as fermentation slows. Try removing the lid and placing a garbage bag loosly over the fermenter, then constrict the edges with a large rubber band. If the wash is still off gasing it will fill and expand the garbage bag and you can simply place a very small pin prick in the bag to allow gasses to escape.
Did you take an initial specific gravity reading?
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MrPlace
I am using Distillers yeast. I have just a lid and no airlock, I will put a bag over this afternoon.
I didnt take a specific gravity reading, I have not bought a hydrometer or other measuring items yet.
If fermentation has stopped, is it possible to start it again? If not, could you run the wash still?
I didnt take a specific gravity reading, I have not bought a hydrometer or other measuring items yet.
If fermentation has stopped, is it possible to start it again? If not, could you run the wash still?
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Grayson_Stewart
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If you used a turbo, and with that amount of sugar it's still fermenting. If the fermenter is clear enough, place a light on one side of the fermenter and get down and look closely at the wall of the ferementer from the other side. I bet you will see thousands of tiny bubbles rising to the surface.
Most turbos will handle about a pound more sugar than you have used for 4 gallons. I've used 17 lbs. in a 5 gallon wash. If all went well at the pitching of the yeast and it sounds like it did, then you are just starting the downturn where off gassing will slow...it will still ferment for anouther 4 or 5 days probaly. I've never had a 5 day turbo finish out completly in 5 days, usually takes 7 to 10 days.
If fermentation has stopped it is sometimes possible to jumpstart it again by splitting the wash in half and topping up with more water or pitching a turbo yeast. Since you are within the sugar limitations and already using a turbo, I don't believe you have a stuck fermentation.
Finally, yes you can run a wash that hasn't finished and you can run one that still has suspended yeast. If running through a reflux still and getting high purity it wouldn't affect taste as much as if you are using a potstill though. But for the same reason you don't want to pour the settled yeast sludge in the bottom of the fermenter into your boiler, you will want to settle out as much yeast that is still suspended as possible. It's just a better and cleaner taste without the yeast in my opinion.
Most turbos will handle about a pound more sugar than you have used for 4 gallons. I've used 17 lbs. in a 5 gallon wash. If all went well at the pitching of the yeast and it sounds like it did, then you are just starting the downturn where off gassing will slow...it will still ferment for anouther 4 or 5 days probaly. I've never had a 5 day turbo finish out completly in 5 days, usually takes 7 to 10 days.
If fermentation has stopped it is sometimes possible to jumpstart it again by splitting the wash in half and topping up with more water or pitching a turbo yeast. Since you are within the sugar limitations and already using a turbo, I don't believe you have a stuck fermentation.
Finally, yes you can run a wash that hasn't finished and you can run one that still has suspended yeast. If running through a reflux still and getting high purity it wouldn't affect taste as much as if you are using a potstill though. But for the same reason you don't want to pour the settled yeast sludge in the bottom of the fermenter into your boiler, you will want to settle out as much yeast that is still suspended as possible. It's just a better and cleaner taste without the yeast in my opinion.
Light travels faster than sound. That is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
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MrPlace
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knuklehead
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As soon as you get the chance buy or make an airlock. It will save you alot of head ache especially if your new at this. With an airlock on the fermentor you can very easily see at a glance if there is still gas coming off your wash.
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Dane Cook
Dane Cook
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mshinner
You can make a simple air lock with a peice of tubing and a glass of water. Cut a hole in the lid of you fermenter the same size of the tubing you are using push the tubing thru and seal it and place the other end in the glass of water. the gas will buble thru the tubing into the water. Air locks at brew shop by me cost about 75 cents.