Checking fermentation

[Daddynoob]

I done my very first brew on Friday and checked my hydrometer reading which I think it was ok
It was in the red saying start beer
How often do I check it ?

 

[MmmBeer]

Professional brewers are expected to test their brews every day, but they have 1000+ litres, so drwing off 100 ml or so from the sample tap is a drop in the ocean and introduces no risk of infection. I normally give each brew two weeks in the fermenter, before bottling, but because I have had a few brews stick at around 1.020, I normally give the fermenter a jiggle or a stir with a sanitised spoon/paddle after a week.

You can use airlock activity (if you use one) as a rough rule of thumb of progress, but remember the yeast will continue doing good work for several days after the airlock has ceased bubbling.

 

[Daddynoob]

Have the airlock in place which is bubbling
I just hope I have done everything trying
I don’t understand how to read it
This is my 1st reading

 

[terrym]

If its your first brew this may be useful
Basic beginners guide to brewing your own beer from a kit - The HomeBrew Forum
And use this to help you read your hydrometer, and understand specific gravity units (SG).
How to measure Specific Gravity using a Homebrew Hydrometer - The HomeBrew Forum
After taking the initial SG reading (OG) provided you are happy that the fermentation has started you only really need to check the SG at the end of the fermentation. You will know that the fermentation has started by perhaps a scum ring above the liquid level on the side of the FV, foam on top of the beer in the FV, and perhaps a good bubble rate from your airlock after 24 hours or so, although latter is not guaranteed. Then leave it for 10-12 days, and dont open the lid. Then take your first reading. The same reading on two or three consecutive days means its finished so you can go ahead and bottle.

 

[Daddynoob]

Thanks so much
Been bubbling pretty well
About every 2 minutes
Will do a couple of checks near the end
I will give it about 2 weeks

 

[Alex.mc]

Without knowing how stable temperature is, or what the characteristics of your yeast are, you can't really short-cut fermentation without risk. Commercial breweries are under financial pressure to brew and sell, so they will always try to ensure a quick turnaround.
The old homebrew advice of leaving it to ferment out for 2 weeks is solid advice. It may have fermented out in 1 week, but the extra week will ensure it's done.
2 weeks to ferment..... package...... 2 weeks to condition and then drink! Not much can go wrong with this approach.

 

[Daddynoob]

Am struggling a little with temperature at the moment
Have got a sleeping bag wrapped around it at the moment in the spare room
When I last checked it was 18 degrees
Will leave it for 2 weeks

 

[terrym]

Am struggling a little with temperature at the moment
Have got a sleeping bag wrapped around it at the moment in the spare room
When I last checked it was 18 degrees
Will leave it for 2 weeks

18*C is just about the point where many yeasts start to fall away, so try to keep it above that if possible.
If you cant, be aware that lower temperatures will mean a longer fermentation time whilst the yeast is still working.
There are several ways of keeping your beer consistently at the right temperature, including heat belts, heat pads, water baths, up to converted fridges (aka brew fridges).
I use a water bath
How to Set up a Water Bath for your FV - The HomeBrew Forum

 

[Alex.mc]

Am struggling a little with temperature at the moment
Have got a sleeping bag wrapped around it at the moment in the spare room
When I last checked it was 18 degrees
Will leave it for 2 weeks

That's fine, and a decent way to do it. 18c is pretty much perfect for most Ale yeasts. Keep an eye on the temp day to day, as yeast can often raise up the temp by it's energetic action. If so then try and chill it down a touch if it gets much above 22c. It's not a disaster though...... it will still be fine.

 

[Daddynoob]

Cheers
Will have a check later

 

[Daddynoob]

Like the water bath method
Might give it a try
Already have a couple of the buckets
Which were on special at Travis Perkins just before lock down

 

[Daddynoob]

Don’t think it’s Fermenting

 

[Tanglefoot]

Don’t think it’s Fermenting

Why do you say that ? - It's got a krausen or scummy remains of one and a thick yeast cake on the bottom but it's only had a week so it's fermenting but won't be done yet.
If you're doubtful it's fermenting based on lack of airlock activity, wort temperature might have got to low and you may need to rouse the yeast.
One way to do this would be to take a hydrometer reading to check the gravity then before you put the top back on give it a gentle stir with a ( sanitised ) spoon.

Or just warm the fv, leave it a week and check the gravity then.

 

[Daddynoob]

Cheers
Have put it up the loft cos struggling to get to 18 degrees

Might try the water bucket heater

 

[Alex.mc]

The head on the top is as mentioned, Krausen, or the remains of. It's a by-product of active fermentation.
https://beercreation.com/what-is-krausen/

 

[Daddynoob]

So it’s working ok

Thank god for that

 

[Daddynoob]

Left it as long as I think
This is the reading today

When do I do another reading
Before bottling
It’s almost on the mark where it says bottle
Or should I leave it a bit longer

 

[Alex.mc]

I'd say that was done, it's been nearly a month so you should be good. If all the gunk on the top has cleared away, perhaps leaving a few bubbles here and there, that's a good sign. It also looks very clear in your hydrometer vessel.
When you bottle try to do it gently to avoid any unnecessary bubbles of foaming. The more air you keep out of it the better.
If you're priming with sugar or drops, make sure you use the recommended levels. Over-priming is not good, as sometimes you can get exploding bottles. Stick to the recommended and you'll be fine.

 

[Daddynoob]

Will do another test tonight
I could leave it another week if that’s better or I could bottle on Wednesday

 

[Daddynoob]

2nd reading tonight

When I took the lid off about half of it looked very dark

Looks lots in the picture