Repitching dry yeast

Terry_R · Mar 18, 2018

Well, I rehydrated a pack of us-05 and pitched it in six days ago to try and restart my stuck fermentation. I've not had any airlock action at all and no obvious signs of anything happening so I'm not sure if its worked. Should I have seen anything going on? Was thinking of just leaving it alone for another week and then take my SG readings, or should I give the trub a gentle stir now?

AdeDunn · Mar 19, 2018

Have you tested the specific gravity, or just looking at the airlock? I had one bucket that leaked CO2 like a sieve, the airlock would sit doing nothing whilst the SG dropped lower and lower... Then the beer got a pellicle thanks to the exposure to air... lol Wife enjoyed it still though. lol

Airlock activity is a poor indicator for yeast activity.

Old_P · Mar 19, 2018

AdeDunn said:
Airlock activity is a poor indicator for yeast activity.

I have one FV that leaks air and then I have no airlock action, so take a gravity reading to find out what is really happening. I now put tape around the thread of my FV before screwing on the lid and that stops the air leaking so I can see and hear my baby breathing :laugh8:

Terry_R · Mar 19, 2018

AdeDunn said:
Have you tested the specific gravity, or just looking at the airlock? I had one bucket that leaked CO2 like a sieve, the airlock would sit doing nothing whilst the SG dropped lower and lower... Then the beer got a pellicle thanks to the exposure to air... lol Wife enjoyed it still though. lol

Airlock activity is a poor indicator for yeast activity.

Hi, I took SG reading tonight. Still 1030, it's not moved a single point. :headbang:.... I'm fermenting in a glass carboy with a tight bung so shouldnt be leaking co2. Anyways, I've just stirred the trub up to see if that wakes it up.

AdeDunn · Mar 20, 2018

Really odd, as been an extract brew mashing temps wouldn't impact fermentables. Pretty much leaves 2 things that I can think of (assuming temps are right now), not enough oxygen in the wort for the yeast to reproduce now, or not enough nutrients for them. Fixing the first I should thing would come with a hefty risk of oxidising your beer, the latter you could possibly sort out by adding some yeast nutrient. Or there's a chance that the last yeasts have released chemical markers telling "everybody" that the job is done, time to flocculate out...

I'd wait before somebody with more experience with stuck fermentations can advise though. I only ever had the one (a Headcracker kit), and that was fixed by pitching a packet of yeast.

Terry_R · Mar 20, 2018

Yeah, thanks. Only my second brew, the first went fine. Think I'll see if anyone comes up with any other suggestions by the weekend, and if not I'll cut my losses, dump it and crack on with a new one. Got the John Palmer book now so reading up about yeast management and hopefully can put some better practices in place next time.

Duxuk · Mar 20, 2018

Don't give up! After a stir, if nothing improves, you repitch having at least rehydrated. Your brew already has some alcohol to help prevent infection so no harm is likely to come to it.

Repitching dry yeast

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Repitching dry yeast

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