French Saison 3711 Wyeast starting slow?

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by stb08007, Jan 15, 2015.

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  1. stb08007

    stb08007 Initiate (0) May 28, 2014 Connecticut

    Hi guys, pitched a smack of this into my Saison last night at 75 degrees. Proofed it, it swelled, fresh pack. Aerated by shaking 2 min before and after pitching. Almost 24 hours now at 65 degrees and no bubbles. Hit 80 mash efficiency. What gives?
     
    #1 stb08007, Jan 15, 2015
  2. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,067) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    How big (OG and volume) was the wort? Pitch a small amount of yeast into a highish OG wort, and it will take longer for the yeast to propagate to a critical mass before attenuation (generally accompanied by bubbles) begins.
     
    #2 VikeMan, Jan 15, 2015
  3. heesu

    heesu Initiate (0) Jul 2, 2012 Michigan

    That's a monster yeast - should act pretty quick. Usually want to ferment a bit higher on that one 70-75 F.
     
    #3 heesu, Jan 15, 2015
  4. wspscott

    wspscott Pooh-Bah (1,958) May 25, 2006 Kentucky
    Pooh-Bah

    Need more info, you can start with VikeMan's questions :slight_smile:

    Also, are you sure that the lid on your bucket is sealed/tight?

    Also, how sure are you about the temperature, is this wort temp or ambient temp?
     
    #4 wspscott, Jan 15, 2015
  5. stb08007

    stb08007 Initiate (0) May 28, 2014 Connecticut

    Triple checked my lid. 1.064 OG. And it's reading 65 on my Fermometer. But I did set a space heater up to warm it 5 degrees or so, so it's currently heating up.
     
    #5 stb08007, Jan 15, 2015
  6. MrOH

    MrOH Grand Pooh-Bah (3,995) Jul 5, 2010 Virginia
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    It's underpitched. I wouldn't worry about warming it up just yet. 3711 will do its thing either way. Just leave it be at this point.
     
    #6 MrOH, Jan 15, 2015
  7. stb08007

    stb08007 Initiate (0) May 28, 2014 Connecticut

    Okay, still no bubbling yet. I'll report back at the end of the day.
     
    #7 stb08007, Jan 15, 2015
  8. stb08007

    stb08007 Initiate (0) May 28, 2014 Connecticut

    Okay, so it's been at 70F the last 24 hours. And I decided to peek inside, very obvious krausening. Still no airlock bubbling. Maybe my bucket has a small leak in the seal? Which seems odd since it didn't leak at all last time. I just find it odd a yeast with this reputation isn't rocking and rolling. But maybe it is, hah![​IMG]
     
    #8 stb08007, Jan 16, 2015
  9. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,067) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    Bubbles are not a good quantitative indicator of fermentation activity, and sometimes not even a good qualitative indicator. Your total lack of bubbles could be do to a leak in the seal, as you said. Or it could be due to a too low fill level in the airlock. Or a crack in the airlock stem. Or a warped lid. or...
     
    #9 VikeMan, Jan 16, 2015
    stb08007 likes this.
  10. stb08007

    stb08007 Initiate (0) May 28, 2014 Connecticut

    So, I just swapped my blowoff for a standard S-type airlock, and viola! Bubbles galore. Maybe the tube was gapped up somehow or had a tiny leak. Anyhow, looks like everything is alright, and the yeast is quite hungry - thanks guys!
     
    #10 stb08007, Jan 16, 2015
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