Recommendations for aerating high gravity wort

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by Scope4Beer, Sep 8, 2015.

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  1. Scope4Beer

    Scope4Beer Zealot (677) Sep 28, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Trader

    I've read various recommendations from numerous sources when it comes to aerating high gravity wort. Besides aerating before pitching, it's a fairly common recommendation to aerate again. But here's where there seems to be a lot of variability. I've read anywhere from 6-24 hours after pitching, or 6-12 hours after fermentation has begun. Also, some will recommend not to aerate once fermenation has begun vs not aerating once it's hit high krausen. I brewed an imperial stout yesterday with an OG of 1.110. I aerated with a diffusion stone before pitching and again this morning, ~13 hours after pitching. This morning it already had a 1+ inch krausen. It got me thinking about these recommendations and the timing. What do you guys think or do when it comes to aerating high gravity wort?
     
    #1 Scope4Beer, Sep 8, 2015
  2. Brew_Betty

    Brew_Betty Initiate (0) Jan 5, 2015 Wisconsin

    If you are going to infuse o2 twice, you did it right. Once before pitching and once 12 hours later.

    Too much oxygen increases fusels. I haven't brewed many big beers, but pitching 25% more yeast than recommended and only one oxygen infusion at pitching time has worked fine for me.
     
    #2 Brew_Betty, Sep 8, 2015
  3. SFACRKnight

    SFACRKnight Grand Pooh-Bah (3,348) Jan 20, 2012 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I am doing my yearly RIS, this year I hit 1.123, last year was 1.118. Both times I over pitched by about 20% per mr malty pitch rate calculator, and aerated right before I pitched. I usually have 3-4 inches of headspace in my bucket, and get krausen out the blow off tube within 6-12 hours of pitching. Not sure if any of that is helpful, but I think you should be fine with what you have done.
     
    #3 SFACRKnight, Sep 8, 2015
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  4. invertalon

    invertalon Pooh-Bah (2,249) Jan 27, 2009 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    The highest gravity I have done so far was a 9.1% IIPA... I just shook my fermenting bucket with the 5 gallons of wort in it for a few minutes, pitched my yeast and within 24hrs it was roaring. No issues...
     
    #4 invertalon, Sep 8, 2015
  5. Scope4Beer

    Scope4Beer Zealot (677) Sep 28, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Trader

    I guess ultimately is there an ideal window of time to aerate after pitching? Is 4 hours too soon, or likewise is 18 hours too long? Or does that depend on activity of fermentation?
     
    #5 Scope4Beer, Sep 8, 2015
  6. Brew_Betty

    Brew_Betty Initiate (0) Jan 5, 2015 Wisconsin

    The ideal window is halfway before the end of the growth phase. When this occurs depends on the length of the lag phase before it. The lag phase is variable. 18 hours could be too long. 8-12 hours is more likely to be within the optimal window.

    Or you can just pitch more yeast and not worry about a second o2 infusion.
     
    #6 Brew_Betty, Sep 8, 2015
    Scope4Beer likes this.
  7. inchrisin

    inchrisin Pooh-Bah (2,013) Sep 25, 2008 Indiana
    Pooh-Bah

    I go right before pitching and usually about 18 hours after. Yeast nutrient is a must here too.
     
    #7 inchrisin, Sep 9, 2015
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