Yeast

[humulus]

AHBers
Brewed a Cali Common yesterday,i used wyeast 2112 this is the first time ive used this style/type of yeast.My question is...how long should i be expecting to wait until some airlock activity starts?
The yeast was pitched into a OGwort of 1048 at 21dg.I followed the instructions by popping the activator,i let the packet stand for 4/5hrs at room temp and it did not swell as much as expected.
Its been about 18hrs and no activity.Am i being impatient!!!!!?????
Thanks for any advise
Humulus

 

[schooey]

If the yeast pack was old-ish (6+ months) then it may be sluggish. Ideally you should have let the pack swell right out, and this may take 24+ hours for older lager yeasts. Any longer than 48 hours and you'd really want to pitch it into a strter to proof it's viability. I realise all of this is too late for you...

18 hours is not a long time, given that you have probably under pitched a slow starting yeast. Give it another 12 or so hours and see what happens. Rouse it a little to get it working if you need to.

 

[razz]

Don't worry about the airlock Humulus. Is there any condensation on the underside of the fermenter lid. Also a change in the surface/color of the wort?

 

[Pennywise]

Have you taken a gravity reading? Or is there any other visual signs of fermentation?

 

[humulus]

On my way to the man cave to check everything let you know!!!!

 

[humulus]

Just checked looks like its dropped 1.5 gravity points,theres slight condensation inside of fermenter lid.so i might be off the hook!!!
Another quick question how much longer should i leave it until i put it in the fermentation fridge its sitting on 22dg now,should i wait just to make sure its happy fermenting?
thanks

 

[Pennywise]

In the firm fridge now set to desired temp. I'd suggest 18- 20 for this yeast .sounds like it's starting to ferment

 

[schooey]

Anchor steam is fermented with this yeast at about 16C I believe? I recently did a clone of it with this yeat at that temp and it was pretty good...