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[jsl2000]

On new years eve I bought a coopers best bitter. Made it as per the instructions and after attempting to place it under my central heating boiler and finding it too cool there ive put it in the spare bedroom. Since then pretty much nothing has happened. No bubbles in the airlock. I've not opened the lid yet so can't tell you what it looks like. What have I done wrong? And can I rectify it?

[racinsnake]

Hi jsl
Firstly I would check your temp, as you said it was too cold by the boiler I assume you know it needs to be around 20* It is still early days, and the low temperature after pitching won't have helped but all is definatly not lost! Leave it alone, give it time and if you really can't resist the urge, shine a torch through the side of your FV rather than lifting the lid and hopefully you'll see the krausen forming. Let's us know how it goes.
Oh and air locks can be hit and miss especially if there not airtight, I had a Wherry that didn't give a peep, not even a SBD and it turned out fine.
Rob.

[jsl2000]

Unfortunately my flat would struggle to get to 20 degrees I only put the heating on about twice a day (I'm always hot I walk around in t shirts all winter) ive shut the door and the temp sits around 18 Max in there. I could stick the oil heater on but it's an expensive way to brew beer

[Jim]

18C should be OK - fermentation won't be super-fast, but at least you won't get off flavours.

[BenB]

When did you make it? Getting a bubble on promptly is important to avoid the batch getting contaminated. You've got a lovely culture medium there looking for something to inhabit. How did you pitch the yeast? I'm assuming the kit came with some dry yeast? Did you remember to pitch it? It does happen! Sometimes in all the excitement of fininshing off a brew day I've almost forgotten Can you easily get hold of another sachet of yeast? 18 deg C shouldn't be an issue. Personally I'd grab a new sachet of brewer's yeast and get it in there..... assuming you didn't make it this morning in which case be patient!

[jimpy0]

if as you say your flat doesnt get warm enough, my heating only goes on when there's ice on the windows as i struggle if i get too warm, invest in an aquarium heater and a large bowl/bucket and stand the Fv in it.

[Linus]

On new years eve I bought a coopers best bitter. Made it as per the instructions and after attempting to place it under my central heating boiler and finding it too cool there ive put it in the spare bedroom. Since then pretty much nothing has happened. No bubbles in the airlock. I've not opened the lid yet so can't tell you what it looks like. What have I done wrong? And can I rectify it?

I have done one of these kits recently and exactly the same happened but,it dropped to 1008 after a couple of weeks.

Check it after a week,then keep checking,dont worry about cracking the lid off mine, tasted good after 2 weeks in the bottle,i corney kegged most of it.

It never heard it bubble in the airlock once,

[GrowlingDogBeer]

The lid on most fermenters are not 100% air tight seal, so the gas will be escaping out of the seal rather than bubbling through the airlock. Don't worry about the airlock bubbling too much, it may sound comforting but actually serves very little purpose.

[racinsnake]

Scrub the oil heater it's a hobby not a labour of love lol, I only quoted 20* as that's what a lot of people aim for. As someone said 18* is fine and that's actually what I brew at! I have an electrum heat pad but aquarium heaters do the job just as we'll and maybe a little more efficiently especially if cost is in the equation
Rob.

[jsl2000]

A quick update. I used the oil heater, only had to put it on a third to get the temp up. Took a sample yesterday smelt good did a hydrometer reading and it was 1010. SG was 1020 so looks like something's gone right. I'll leave it another week and then see if it can be bottled.

[WalesAles]

A quick update. I used the oil heater, only had to put it on a third to get the temp up. Took a sample yesterday smelt good did a hydrometer reading and it was 1010. SG was 1020 so looks like something's gone right. I'll leave it another week and then see if it can be bottled.

js,
Are you sure your SG was 1020?
That seems very low to me. Perhaps you misread it?

WA

[jsl2000]

It was 1040 then should have wrote it down but in all the excitement didn't. Knew it was one or the other.

[jsl2000]

Took another reading last night still 1010 looks like fermentation is done. Will take another tonight if it's the same will start bottleing

[jsl2000]

Another update for those still interested after talking about sugar on a different thread I've been told I should have put sugar in even though the instructions don't implicitly say that. So instead of bottling on Sunday I dumped a kilo of brewers sugar in and gave it a gentle stir. Within a couple of hours the lid was pushed up and resting my hand gently on the lid made bubbles in the airlock. So it's definitely doing something. I suppose my next question is how long do I leave it now?

[Jim]

..........I suppose my next question is how long do I leave it now?

At least a week.