To stir or not to stir

[marko]

Hi all
I have read in my brewing book that stirring is a big 'no no' at any point during the brew, would you recommend stirring at all?
I was thinking at the final stage of fermentation to make sure that all the yeast has been fully utilised...?
Could you anyone give me any advice on this?
Thanks a lot
Mark

[Operator]

It is important to stir the wort well for a few minutes prior to chucking in the yeast to areate it. After that you might need to stir it very gently if it sticks at to high a gravity, but you don't want to get any air into it then or you can cause oxidisation ( not good ) have a read of the kit guide and "what to do if your brew sticks" thread.


Have fun.

[StrangeBrew]

As you say, the general thought is 'no stirring' after pitching the yeast although many people do give a gentle stir if fermentation becomes stuck in the later stages in a bid to liven the yeast.

Back in the 70's/80's some kits recommended a stir on day two and three while fermentation is at it's liveliest but this practice seems to have stopped.
I sometimes wonder if this would help those Muntons/Woodforde's kits that are known to often stick to finish fermentation at the recommended FG.

[Benson_JV]

I stir my beer after i've skimmed the yeast gunk off, i can only say i've never had a beer go bad, but i can't exactly say I'll definitely never get a brew go bad this way.

[Lillywhite]

The general consensus nowadays, is not to stir in the yeast or the wort at any stage in the primary fermentation period or skim off the initial froth which as been pointed out is a departure from the practice, when I first started home brew in the late 70's, and the standard instructions on kits and in CJ Berry's books.

I now always re-hydrate the yeast in a third of a cup of boiled water before pouring in the wort and then adding a teaspoon full of yeast nutrient and I now use a sealed FV with an air lock and have not experienced any stuck fermentation problems since I resumed home brewing last Autumn.

It seems that the great danger in stirring your wort on a daily basis is that you run the risk of infecting or oxidising your brew.

[marko]

cheers guys i will keep the spoon in the cupboard now on lol.

thanks very much

[marko]

The stirring worked a treat, it seems to have cleared up any yeast that was previously swimming around. Just gave it an extra day to settle.


Thanks again Mark

[PEZ]

why wouldnt you wanna oxidise your brew?

[marko]

Cos your beer will taste like sherry