sticking fermentation.

  • 5 Replies
  • 2643 Views
*

timtheenchanteruk

  • New Member
  • *
  • 43
sticking fermentation.
« on: March 24, 2012, 16:18 »
I have a batch of wine that seems top keep sticking, its a recipe I have used before, but only ever in 1 gallon demijohns, this one is a 5 gallon brew.
Its basically made from a supermarket bought apple and pear squash, and in the past has given a good (enough) simple easy brew to go along side the more adventurous stuff.

just before Christmas, one of my beer barrels split on the shoulder, so not holding pressure, so thought this would be an ideal use for it, removed the pressure valve and fitted an airlock.

Ive done about 7 gallons from this batch of juice, the 2 in demijohns have fermented fine, but the 5 gall ferments for 2 days at a time, the stops, give the barrel a good shake and it does another 2 days.
its not finished yet (by taste and hydrometer) and I didn't add the full amount of sugar at one go, theoretically it needs more yet.

I have also tried adding some more nutrient, and yeast (at separate times) but it still seems to be sticking.

one thought is there isn't enough air-liquid ratio to get enough oxygen in the brew, agitation solves this temporarily.

the brew hasn't gone "off", and im at a loss now, the 2 gallons have been racked, the 5 gallon is still (albeit slowly) fermenting

*

Lardman

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: Worcestershire
  • 9245
Re: sticking fermentation.
« Reply #1 on: March 24, 2012, 16:43 »
About the only other thing I can think of it temperature, the small amount of water in your 1Gal DJ will heat up much quicker than the 5Gal FV.  Can you get it somewhere a constant temperature of around 20ish?  Do you have a thermometer - what's the brew at?

I have a gallon of Vimto on the go and it refuses to do anything until the ambient temperature is 22, but then it bubbles away nicely.

*

timtheenchanteruk

  • New Member
  • *
  • 43
Re: sticking fermentation.
« Reply #2 on: March 24, 2012, 16:55 »
Hmm, will see if i can find my other themometer, broke mine a couple of weeks ago, and not remembered/bothered buying another one.

I dont have anywhere that is constant, but do have a brew belt i can whack round it, I was more concerned with it not getting too hot now the weather has warmed up.

*

Lardman

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: Worcestershire
  • 9245
Re: sticking fermentation.
« Reply #3 on: March 24, 2012, 17:33 »
I don't think Id be overly concerned about it overheating just yet, its going to take a while  to warm 5gal up. Put the belt round it and warm thing up a bit, which yeast did you use?

*

timtheenchanteruk

  • New Member
  • *
  • 43
Re: sticking fermentation.
« Reply #4 on: March 24, 2012, 18:18 »
just the youngs dried active yeast as usual (I just keep that and youngs wine yeast in stock) was well within BB date.
belt is round it now, will see what happens.

*

timtheenchanteruk

  • New Member
  • *
  • 43
Re: sticking fermentation.
« Reply #5 on: March 29, 2012, 16:47 »
that seems to have done it, seems to  need to be warmer than most of the other brews I have done, it fermented out, just added some more sugar (I dont put the whole lot in at once) so shall see how we do.



xx
fermentation problem

Started by hank scorpio on Homebrew

3 Replies
3079 Views
Last post August 13, 2010, 08:25
by joyfull
xx
Elderflower fermentation ?

Started by 8doubles on Homebrew

2 Replies
2610 Views
Last post June 17, 2009, 06:36
by 8doubles
xx
Fermentation Complete?

Started by nickmcmechan on Homebrew

0 Replies
1899 Views
Last post January 11, 2011, 20:45
by nickmcmechan
xx
Fermentation ended?

Started by otis pony on Homebrew

2 Replies
1761 Views
Last post May 25, 2011, 14:39
by otis pony
 

Page created in 0.139 seconds with 38 queries.

Powered by SMFPacks Social Login Mod
Powered by SMFPacks SEO Pro Mod |