Hey all. Just started my brew and I think I may have messed up on something. I did the boil correct but not sure if I messed up the aeration part because my kit didn't say how long to do it. I aerated for probably a minute by just shaking the bucket and then just sprinkler the dry yeast in and sealed with airlock. Should I go back and do something? Finished brew at like 6pm last night. I hope I didn't mess this up!!
Nope, you're done. More aeration gets the yeast active earlier, ideally you should add pure oxygen which I'm sure you don't have. Also, consider "starting" your dry yeast in the future . . . more cells will survive for fermentation. So it's been 24 hours and you're waiting for the first sign of airlock activity? Recommend sit tight and it'll probably occur this evening. If no activity after 48 hours consider opening lid and inspecting wort for krausen, it's always possible you have an air leak that bypasses the airlock.
I wouldn't panic just yet. As long as your the temp of your brew was 75 degrees or lower at time of pitching your yeast, you should be fine. I am not sure how people here feel about aeration, but I was told that just pouring it into my fermentation bucket is usually enough.
Appreciate the quick responses all!! Feel better now and yes it was like at 73 degrees when adding yeast but just freaked out when someone was like you have to arate the shiz out of it which I've seen people say both. Another quick question? It said to do the steeping of grains at like 152 degrees but was having a little issue keeping it down initially so it was at like 170 for a bit. Anything I should worry about? Thanks!!
Depending on grains, and if you held 170 degrees, you might get a "husky" grainy flavor. I have had this once. Other wise, I shoot for 160 ish degrees and kill the heat and cover when I step but that is me.
That's all I ever do and have had no problem with fermentation starting in a timely manner. I don't brew > 8% ABV beers very often, but I'd probably take extra steps for aeration when I do one of those again.
