s23 initial fermentation signs?

[Gurgeh]

I'm not really sure what to expect. 3 packets pitched directly into 10 gallons 30 hours ago @11C
temp has remained constant at 11C since then.

there's some scum on the top, no 'cap' or krausen as I'd expect with a top-fermenting yeast. I saw the beautiful meringues that Alemans pilsner sported - hmm....

Is this normal? I've just aerated and roused, will see what happens but should i expect more visual clues that fermentation is underway?

[Whorst]

It's possible it could take several days for you to notice activity. All lagers I've made previously, I pitched warm, and waited for activity. Then I dropped the temperature. I never had any problems with esters.

[hoppingMad]

I have not noticed any difference between S-23 and other lager yeasts in terms of lag time. What I always notice is that when pitched cold, lagers do take off slowly, and also ferment quite slowly depending on pitching rate. I think two packets of S-23 per 5 gallons of 1.045 wort is about right, then fermented at 9-12 C. You should be getting airlock activity about now though.

I had a weird thing going on with my last lager 2 weeks ago where I thought I had under pitched because my airlock was only running at one bubble every 15-20 seconds instead of the usual 5-7 seconds at 9 degrees C. After a week, decided to do a gravity reading to check if it was the fermenter not sealing properly. According to the airlock activity the SG would have been only about 1.035, but was actually 1.020. The fermentation progressed normally and so I knew my fermenter had not sealed properly.
How many times have I had problems with this dratted fermenter ??????? Time to get a new one I should think !!!!!
Hopp.