First brew, need help

This is my first brew, using an iPa brewing kit. Last night the primary fermentation began, and I am yet to see any bubbles in the airlock. It was about 17 degrees when I put the yeast in, which had been rehydrated in warm water for 30 minutes prior, so should I warm it up to get it going? Or I may have not aerated it enough.
Is there something I can do to get it going, as I really don't want to lose this!

Ok - let's have a little bit more info, please.
Which kit is it?
Is it a one can kit or two cans?
If 1 can, what other fermentables did you add - normal sugar, brewing sugar, dried malt extract or liquid malt extract?
Did you use the kit yeast or another type, if so, what?
What was the temperature of the warm water you hydrated the yeast in?

In general:
It's not unusual for fermentation to take a while to start, especially if you do not have any temperature control. I don't and I wrap my fv in a towel at this time of year just to keep it a bit warmer when the heating is not on during the day and overnight.

17 degrees may be a little cold and you may want to move the fv somewhere a little warmer (but not right next to a radiator). If I brew at this time of year, 17 degrees would be warm for my house except when the heating is on in the evenings. Fermentation may take a little longer to kick off at lower temperatures and may also last longer (eg. 3 weeks instead of 2) but I find that fermenting at lower temperatures also gives a cleaner tasting, clearer end product.

Depending on the yeast used, it can take up to 36 hours before any signs of fermentation can be seen (ie a krausen forming on top of the wort). BUT do not be tempted to keep opening the fv lid to see if anything is happening!! Just leave it alone to do it's thing.

I don't use an airlock on my fv as most do not have an airtight seal on the lid. Therefore, you may not see any bubbles coming through the airlock as co2 may be escaping elsewhere.

In other words, you probably don't need to panic just yet, it's probably taking a while to start as the temperature is slightly cold but we may be able to give more specific advice with more info.

Pavros said:

Ok - let's have a little bit more info, please.
Which kit is it?
Is it a one can kit or two cans?
If 1 can, what other fermentables did you add - normal sugar, brewing sugar, dried malt extract or liquid malt extract?
Did you use the kit yeast or another type, if so, what?
What was the temperature of the warm water you hydrated the yeast in?

In general:
It's not unusual for fermentation to take a while to start, especially if you do not have any temperature control. I don't and I wrap my fv in a towel at this time of year just to keep it a bit warmer when the heating is not on during the day and overnight.

17 degrees may be a little cold and you may want to move the fv somewhere a little warmer (but not right next to a radiator). If I brew at this time of year, 17 degrees would be warm for my house except when the heating is on in the evenings. Fermentation may take a little longer to kick off at lower temperatures and may also last longer (eg. 3 weeks instead of 2) but I find that fermenting at lower temperatures also gives a cleaner tasting, clearer end product.

Depending on the yeast used, it can take up to 36 hours before any signs of fermentation can be seen (ie a krausen forming on top of the wort). BUT do not be tempted to keep opening the fv lid to see if anything is happening!! Just leave it alone to do it's thing.

I don't use an airlock on my fv as most do not have an airtight seal on the lid. Therefore, you may not see any bubbles coming through the airlock as co2 may be escaping elsewhere.

Click to expand...

This is the kit I used: http://www.thehomebrewcompany.co.uk/the-hbc-christmas-starter-kit-ale-p-2797.html I used the kit yeast which is an ale yeast, the liquid malt extract which came with the kit, and the brewing sugar that it came with. The warm water was about 32 degrees that the yeast was hydrated in. Also, my room temperature is about 20 degrees, and I have not yet opened the lid.

It more than likely IS fermenting.
Just because there are no bubbles through the airlock, doesn't mean it isn't fermenting.
The escaping gas will find the easiest route out - not always through the airlock!

Everything sounds good from that. I think that it's just taking a while to start because it's winter. Also, if you didn't aerate very well, that may also delay the start of fermentation, but again, it's nothing to worry about.

If nothing appears to be happening after a couple of days, then I may be tempted to pitch another pack of yeast. If you have a Wilko nearby, their Gervin yeast is a good quality or you could order from CrossMyLoof if you don't have a homebrew shop near.

I've made up a couple of HBC kits before (Dead Phony Club) which is supplied with US-05 but I would think that any yeast supplied by HBC would be a good quality one.

If you haven't added anything other than the malt extract and sugar supplied, then I would think that HBC would supply the correct amount of yeast (I was worried you had added extra fermentables which may have needed 2 packs of yeast so, if you only pitched 1 then it may have been struggling).

You hydrated the yeast at the correct temperature so that is not an issue (if the water was too warm, it could kill the yeast).

If you are worried, wrap the fv in an old towel/blanket/duvet to help it start fermenting and don't worry too much if you don't see any bubbles in the airlock. If you can't see any signs of a krausen/foam or a dirty ring on the side of your fv above the wort in the next couple of days, then come back and ask for some more help.

And - I agree with VW911, it either is fermenting or is about to start, you just can't tell yet! You don't always see a massive, foamy krausen on the surface.

Ok thanks a lot, think I just needed some reassuring!

It could take 24 - 36 hours before you see any bubbles.
Also it will go from there being no activity when you look 1 minute, to bubbling it's head off an hour later.
When the yeast mutiplies, it does so quickly ............ sort of imagine it doubling every hour (totally made up and not scientific), and you'll then understand why it goes from nothing to all out bedlam in such a short time.

Go look at it before you go to bed this evening and my bet is it will be going.
Look at it in the morning and it might be all over the floor. lol
Now might be a good time to stand it on a tray or towel, just in case.

Look again on Saturday and will have slowed right down.

I would also check is that the airlock has a good seal.

CO2 could be escaping around the rim of your vessel or airlock rubber. If the brewing bucket has a loose fitting lid, the gas could be escaping around the rim and not even touching the airlock.

It should brew at 17, but will be a lot slower and take a bit longer.
20-22 is the best temperature for an ale.
I work on the basis that my house is configured to run around 20-22, so leaving the brewing bucket in a spare bedroom, but away from the radiator will suffice.

If your'e really worried, you could take the airlock out and take a sneaky peak, see if theres any signs of thick foam forming on the top, and take a very careful sniff (and I mean careful).
If it's brewing you'll know about it as it will hit you in the back of your head. :-)
A similar feeling to the hit you get from strong mustard or wasabi.

Quick update as I know you are all losing sleep over my naivety, the airlock is bubbling now, thanks for the reassurance. I also wrapped it up in a cosy jumper.

Just before bed time then.
Good luck with the results and welcome to the hobby.