jeffm5 Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 I'm a new brewer and my first batch has been sitting for about 2 days and there is a lot of sediment in the bottom of my fermenter. Is this normal? I'm worried I may not have mixed it well enough or something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hairy Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 It is perfectly normal and is mainly the cold break. Refer to the FAQ link below for some info on it. FAQ Also, not properly mixing won't hurt the brew. Your Starting gravity reading may be out but it will still all ferment. All the best with your new hobby. It's quite addictive.[cool] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James S Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 Hello, I've got a similar issue, I've made a few batches but forgot to seal my latest one tightly; after a few days I noticed a quite patches of brown specs on top of the wort which might be yeast sediment. I've sealed it tight now but what do you reckon, should I lash it or not? cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Brew Master Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 Hi James, welcome to the forum. Have you taken a gravity reading to see if it is fermenting? Have you tasted it? If gravity readings are falling & it tastes like beer, DON'T toss it. Cheers, Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muddy Waters Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 I've got a similar issue, I've made a few batches but forgot to seal my latest one tightly; after a few days I noticed a quite patches of brown specs on top of the wort which might be yeast sediment. I've sealed it tight now but what do you reckon, should I lash it or not? James - It doesn't need to be sealed just covered. A lot of us around here toss out the lid (and the airlock [pinched] ) and just out a piece of glad wrap over the top secured with the o-ring from the lid. Whatever you do don't tip it out - It sounds like a perfectly normal fermentation to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoelC3 Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 A lot of us around here toss out the lid (and the airlock [pinched] ) and just out a piece of glad wrap over the top secured with the o-ring from the lid. Do you guys ever have issues with fruit flies with that method? I really want to completely rid myself of the airlock but during warm months here in the US I have to deal with the presence of tiny flying things that love wort. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canadian Eh!L Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 Hi Joel, Welcome to the Guild![cool] The Gladwrap method will keep out the fruit flies. It allows you to peek at the brew without lifting the lid so no flies can get in. I find FF to be a pain in the ass during the summer months, too. I try to keep the brewery clean and mopped regularly, the bottles rinsed and hang some fly tape near the FV and the issue is not a problem. Chad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoelC3 Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 Hi Joel, Welcome to the Guild![cool] The Gladwrap method will keep out the fruit flies. It allows you to peek at the brew without lifting the lid so no flies can get in. I find FF to be a pain in the ass during the summer months, too. I try to keep the brewery clean and mopped regularly, the bottles rinsed and hang some fly tape near the FV and the issue is not a problem. Chad Thank you very much, this is a great community from what I have gathered so far. Now that I have thoroughly de-railed this thread, let me ask one more question. With the lid's o-ring, you can keep the crawlies out, so that is good. Can air still escape without puncturing the wrap? After having to deal with blowoff in my spare bathtub I have a great interest in this. [biggrin] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muddy Waters Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 Hey Joel - Yes the air will find its own way out. Some people put a pin prick in the cling wrap but it really isn't necessary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 Can air still escape without puncturing the wrap? After having to deal with blowoff in my spare bathtub I have a great interest in this. [biggrin] short answer = yes [joyful] and a lot of people are being converted to the glad/cling wrap method. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoelC3 Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 Excellent, thank you guys for the input on the matter. I will try it on my next batch and see how it turns out. One more question though, have you ever had krausen leak out from under the wrap? Are there any blowoff precautions to take when you expect it could be an issue? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muddy Waters Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 I tend not to do too many volcanic brews but when I do I just drop the initial volume back about 5L for some extra headroom. When the krausen starts to drop back I fill it to the intended volume for the brew with boiled water (cooled first). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James S Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 Thanks for the advice, it smells like beer, tastes like beer and also brewing like beer! The dodgy looking batches are now nestling on the side of the fermenter so it's not an infection. cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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