Rehydrating Yeast Too Early?

[MoreBeerEh]

Is it possible to rehydrate the yeast too early? I am just wondering if I maybe have rehydrated too early.

[barley ben]

How early and was it covered? Idon't really know how long is too long but you do want to keep it covered with some sanitized plastic wrap or something like that to keep the bad stuff out. If you rehydrated with pre-boiled water and covered it, it will be fine for quite some time. If ya didn't it will probably be OK, but just remember that when-ever you leave something open that is not going to be boiled, it could pick up bacteria/infection.

[barley ben]

Oh yeah... Relax, have a homebrew!!!!

[DarCoop]

Originally posted by MoreBeerEh
Is it possible to rehydrate the yeast too early? I am just wondering if I maybe have rehydrated too early.

I always worry about that. My instructions say to rehydrate when you stat cooling wort. I have done it earlier and yeast sat covered for about 45 minutes..and done it and it sat about 10 minutes and somewhere in between other times. I have never had a problem.
I read that you are to add wort or DME to yeast before you pitch it. I have not done that before either.
On fifth batch now and finally have learned....sanitize and RELAX.

[MoreBeerEh]

I finally finished my first batch last night at about 1:00 am. How can you tell if there is activity going on in the fermenter? I hope I pitched the yeast right. I just poured it in from the measuring cup it had been sitting in to rehydrated, and I started stiring. Was that the right thing to do?

[DarCoop]

The airlock should start bubbling to let you know if you have activity. I use glass carboy as primary fermenter. Love it so I can see what is going on and see as krausen forms on top. If you are using bucket to ferment, I assume you must depend on airlock.
Mine usually takes about 12-18 hours to get started good.

[MoreBeerEh]

Would it be ok to take the lid off of the bucket to see if there's any activity and then put it back? Or will that screw things up?

[Caffinehog]

Go ahead and pop the lid. You might not notice anything for 24+ hours.

If you don't see anything happening, try taking a long-handled spoon and stir gently at the BOTTOM of the wort. (Don't aireate it!) If it's working, but not really going fast yet, the stirring will cause some of the CO2 to come up as fizz!

In any case, don't worry. Have a homebrew. In the worst-case scenario, you may have to repitch with new yeast.

[MoreBeerEh]

I looked through the hole where the airlock is and I saw a tan foam with some dark poop colored stuff on top. The foam isn't hitting the lid but it's there. I guess that means it's working? Also, I used one packet of yeast, as the recipe called for it. Is that enough? Thanks again for everything guys!

[DarCoop]

All I have ever used is one packet of yeast at time.
I think everyone in here will agree with me---Get a 6.5 gal glass carboy ASAP so you can watch your yeast in action.
I love to check on it regularly--almost like watching a sleeping baby.

[Caffinehog]

If there's foam, it's doing just fine. And that brown cruddy stuff is completely normal.

If it's not bubbling like crazy yet, but the foam is near the lid, I would highly advise placing the whole contraption in the bathtub. Cleaning up a krausen overflow can be a major pain in the a**. This way, if it happens, you can just take your beer out and take a shower... and it will be all cleaned up!

[MoreBeerEh]

That is exactly where it has been. It has been in the shower since I finished last night. That is great news! Only 6 weeks to go. I can't stand it, I have to have some!:cool:

[barley ben]

Everything thing sounds like it went as it should and after a few more batches, you won't be as stressed. Till then, have a brew to calm your nerves!!! After that, you can relax and have your own homebrew!

[MoreBeerEh]

Talk about exciting! I just went in and checked on my brew and the air lock is dirty because of bubbles and I leaned over and smelled the air lock and it smells exactly like beer! I can't wait now. I love that smell! Only 13 more days. :(

[Caffinehog]

Originally posted by MoreBeerEh
Only 13 more days. :(

Patience, grasshopper. It may be that long before you put it in the bottle, and perhaps three times as long before you can drink it.

[GunNut76]

Originally posted by MoreBeerEh
I looked through the hole where the airlock is and I saw a tan foam with some dark poop colored stuff on top.


Ahh...I love all the nifty technical terms us brewers use! :D

[Caffinehog]

Originally posted by GunNut76
Ahh...I love all the nifty technical terms us brewers use! :D

"I removed the airlock and peered through the grommet. Lo and behold! A thick layer of krausen had risen over the wort, speckled with bits of turb."