I’m brewing caribou slobber with a basic starter kit (buckets, not carboys) as my first batch and am curious if my fermentation is going as it should. Pitched the yeast at about 70 degrees and had it sitting in my basement since Sunday night (typically about 65 degrees). Monday night there was a lot of activity in the airlock and was ecstatic. Noticed last night (two nights after pitching) there was absolutely no activity. Checked this morning and still no activity. I don’t have a hydrometer, now I see the importance of them!, but wondering if I should be concerned.
Nothing to be worried about. It’s just that the lids on buckets don’t always form a perfect seal, making it easier for gas to escape around the rim instead of having to all go out through the airlock.
dont worry, even though the airlock isnt bubbling doesnt mean theres no fermentation happening. On multiple occasions before i started to make starters for my beer airlock activity would stop after 2 days. Im sort of presuming you didnt make a starter on that note. Yes a hydrometer is a beautiful investment in fact after breaking quite a few i always make sure to atleast have 2 on hand at all times!
Thanks for the two replies - I’ll sleep better knowing I didn’t screw anything major up!
Most likely your temps a a little high and the yeast had a huge party. You says the temp is “usually 65”. But is that what it is? Fermentation can raise the temp of the wort/beer by 5-10* over air temp. The cooler you can keep it the better.
Some yeast strains are fast workers even at cooler temps.
Order you next beer and include a hydrometer and test jar. By the time you get it will be over a week. Then take a reading. Couple days later take another one.
When you are ready to bottle, fill one soda bottle. Squeeze the O2 out and screw the cap on. As CO2 is formed the bottle will expand. Showing you the progress in the glass bottles.
