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Flying_Fox

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I made up a batch of Woodfordes Wherry the other day and on the Saturday I had a peak and their was a Krausen on top. Had a peak today and there was no signs of action.

Have I ballsed this up?!?
 
After 2 days or so it is unlikely to be finished, although the krausen might have dropped. If you have an airlock fitted and its not bubbling it may be because you have a leak between the FV and the lid and CO2 is bypassing the airlock. It might look OK but it isnt. So if you want to see the airlock bubble, place four strips of cling film over the rim of the FV and replace the lid. You should then see bubbles. Then leave it alone for at least a week irrespective of what you think it may or may not be doing.
 
If you have an airlock fitted and its not bubbling it may be because you have a leak between the FV and the lid and CO2 is bypassing the airlock. It might look OK but it isnt. So if you want to see the airlock bubble, place four strips of cling film over the rim of the FV and replace the lid.

Well it’s that kit I got from Wilko’s and it had no hole for an Airlock so I’ve just put the lid on and followed the instructions :oops:
 
9 times out of 10 the krausen only lasts a day or two on my beers but the yeast is still doing its job.

What temp is it at? Try to avoid stirring as that will increase the risk of nasties getting in the fv when you open it up.
 
9 times out of 10 the krausen only lasts a day or two on my beers but the yeast is still doing its job.
I agree that in my experience the krausen only lasts in any great amount for a couple of days, however I never open up the fermenter to have a look! I know that it is really hard not to, especially when it's your first brew, but you really should just leave it alone and let it do its thing. Use the time to plan your next brew instead... ;)
 
The best thing to do is pitch the yeast and just tuck it away in the dark for 2 weeks. then you can pretty much guarantee it's done. That's hard though, especially with your first few brews!

I have moved over time to using clear PET plastic fermentors, that are kept in a dark place that I can control the temp in. They have a bottom tap, and this means I can observe them easily by opening up the door(working yeast is an amazing sight!). I can also tap off very small amounts and pipette them onto a refractometer to check fermentation progress. Refactometers give a different reading to hydrometers that need a conversion, but they will still show fermentation progress, and when it's stopped and finished.
None of this is necessary of course, but it's what I enjoy doing and monitoring.

TL.DR.
Leave it 2 weeks in a dark place and it's be done.
 
Hi FF

Could it be too cold?
... do you remember that discussion about what kit you needed over there (link) ... and how you ended up investing £2.50 of your hard earned on a thermometer? ... Now's the time to get some use out of it athumb..

No need to open up the FV ... just rest the thermometer on the lid and monitor the temps for a few hours (checking before you go to bed and when you get up in the morning will give some indication whether temps are dropping too low overnight, if you're worried about that :?:) ... if you really want accuracy you can tie/tape the thermometer to the side of the FV, with a bit of bubble wrap/foam/sponge over the bulb at the bottom (that'll give a better indication as to the temp of the liquid inside the FV)

Cheers, PhilB

P.S. This will probably make absolutely no difference whatsoever ... the yeast are in charge now, they're the "experts" at this fermentation lark, they know what they're doing ... but at least you'll have something to do, so you'll feel involved wink... :smallcheers:
 
Both fermenting vessels I've seen in Wilko have a hole for a air lock.

https://www.wilko.com/en-uk/wilko-fermenting-bin-lid-25l/p/0022555
https://www.wilko.com/en-uk/wilko-wide-neck-fermentation-vessel-25l/p/0075885

Are you sure you didn't buy a pressure keg?

I started out brewing a few months ago. I tried 3 different kits. I can't stress enough how much better 'all grain' brewing tastes. Just order some crushed malted barley and a grain sack from The Malt Miller, plus some nice hops and a hop sock. You won't look back.

Also note Brew Dog publish all recipes - https://brewdogrecipes.com/
 
Both fermenting vessels I've seen in Wilko have a hole for a air lock.

https://www.wilko.com/en-uk/wilko-fermenting-bin-lid-25l/p/0022555
https://www.wilko.com/en-uk/wilko-wide-neck-fermentation-vessel-25l/p/0075885

Are you sure you didn't buy a pressure keg?

I started out brewing a few months ago. I tried 3 different kits. I can't stress enough how much better 'all grain' brewing tastes. Just order some crushed malted barley and a grain sack from The Malt Miller, plus some nice hops and a hop sock. You won't look back.

Also note Brew Dog publish all recipes - https://brewdogrecipes.com/

I bought this dude.....

https://www.wilko.com/en-uk/woodfordes-real-ale-starter-beer-brewing-kit-20-pints/p/0453206
 
Hi FF

How's this brew doing? Can you see through that FV enough to see has the krausen fully dropped, is the layer of yeast getting more "compacted" at the bottom, is the beer getting darker as the yeast drops out of it (all signs of fermentation coming towards an end)?

Cheers, PhilB
 
Hi FF

How's this brew doing? Can you see through that FV enough to see has the krausen fully dropped, is the layer of yeast getting more "compacted" at the bottom, is the beer getting darker as the yeast drops out of it (all signs of fermentation coming towards an end)?

Cheers, PhilB

Hello Sir!

Apologies for being a bit MIA. Just checked the Beer and did another OG reading and it says it’s done! I’ve just put some Beer Finings into it so will leave it for a few more days and then Bottling!

Still kinda confused how I tell what’s the ABV of the Beer though? With the Cider it was easy but this is not so easy
 
ah......I didn’t take a proper reading. It just said it was ready to make Beer so 1.035/ 1.040 and then it was 1.005 for the fg?
 
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