Hello peeps

I started a batch of alcoholic water the other day (1kg sugar, water &
yeast (Yes I could put some lemon juice in it so it has citric acid, but
I've found it does well enough on its own)). I pitched the yeast before
I went to bed, it was a cooler night than it has been recently so it
didn't surprise me that in the morning it hadn't started fermenting.

What did surprise me, is that the airlock had just started to pull air
into the demijohn. The water in the airlock was actually being pulled
into the demijohn instead of expelling gas like it should. I left the
airlock out for a few minutes (I figured that if the yeast wants air,
its wise to let it have what it wants). I put the airlock back in and
went for a shower. When I got back it had started fermenting normally.

Anybody else have this happen? Any ideas what caused it? The lovely
assistant at my local homebrew store was as surprised as I was at this.

My guess would be it has little to do with the fermentation and more to do
with the change in temperature. Since you mentioned it was a cool night,
I'll bet your must cooled, contracted, and tried to pull air into the
carboy. Venting it sounds like the right thing to do.
Bryan

"Paul Smith" > wrote in
message ...
> Hello peeps
>
> I started a batch of alcoholic water the other day (1kg sugar, water &
> yeast (Yes I could put some lemon juice in it so it has citric acid, but
> I've found it does well enough on its own)). I pitched the yeast before I
> went to bed, it was a cooler night than it has been recently so it didn't
> surprise me that in the morning it hadn't started fermenting.
>
> What did surprise me, is that the airlock had just started to pull air
> into the demijohn. The water in the airlock was actually being pulled into
> the demijohn instead of expelling gas like it should. I left the airlock
> out for a few minutes (I figured that if the yeast wants air, its wise to
> let it have what it wants). I put the airlock back in and went for a
> shower. When I got back it had started fermenting normally.
>
> Anybody else have this happen? Any ideas what caused it? The lovely
> assistant at my local homebrew store was as surprised as I was at this.

we've noticed that changes in temp as well as weather
(atmospheric/barometric) changes have appeared to cause changes with carboys
& airlocks. since none of our group is a scientist, we chalk it up to evil
spirits and /or bad ju-ju. we have a shaman on speed dial... cereally,
though, we do what you probably did: clean, re-sanitize, & refill the
airlock, & clean up any attendent mess. we usually get overflow/ backfire.
we renew our vigilance: if one is bewitched, then watch for similar activity
in other storage units. take preventive steps. HTH regards, bobdrob



"Paul Smith" > wrote in
message ...
> Hello peeps
>
> I started a batch of alcoholic water the other day (1kg sugar, water &
> yeast (Yes I could put some lemon juice in it so it has citric acid, but
> I've found it does well enough on its own)). I pitched the yeast before I
> went to bed, it was a cooler night than it has been recently so it didn't
> surprise me that in the morning it hadn't started fermenting.
>
> What did surprise me, is that the airlock had just started to pull air
> into the demijohn. The water in the airlock was actually being pulled into
> the demijohn instead of expelling gas like it should. I left the airlock
> out for a few minutes (I figured that if the yeast wants air, its wise to
> let it have what it wants). I put the airlock back in and went for a
> shower. When I got back it had started fermenting normally.
>
> Anybody else have this happen? Any ideas what caused it? The lovely
> assistant at my local homebrew store was as surprised as I was at this.

Yes, this has happened to me last week, when it cooled down and the
barometer changed. My blueberry wine was all up in the airlock. Mess.
i cleaned up and found I had lost a couple ounces. (dang).

I don't have an answer, but wanted you to know it was the temperature
and barometer that did it to me.

DAve

Paul Smith wrote:
> Hello peeps
>
> I started a batch of alcoholic water the other day (1kg sugar, water &
> yeast (Yes I could put some lemon juice in it so it has citric acid, but
> I've found it does well enough on its own)). I pitched the yeast before
> I went to bed, it was a cooler night than it has been recently so it
> didn't surprise me that in the morning it hadn't started fermenting.
>
> What did surprise me, is that the airlock had just started to pull air
> into the demijohn. The water in the airlock was actually being pulled
> into the demijohn instead of expelling gas like it should. I left the
> airlock out for a few minutes (I figured that if the yeast wants air,
> its wise to let it have what it wants). I put the airlock back in and
> went for a shower. When I got back it had started fermenting normally.
>
> Anybody else have this happen? Any ideas what caused it? The lovely
> assistant at my local homebrew store was as surprised as I was at this.

BTW, what do you do with Alcoholic water? Just curious, never heard of it.
DAve

Paul Smith wrote:
> Hello peeps
>
> I started a batch of alcoholic water the other day (1kg sugar, water &
> yeast (Yes I could put some lemon juice in it so it has citric acid, but
> I've found it does well enough on its own)). I pitched the yeast before
> I went to bed, it was a cooler night than it has been recently so it
> didn't surprise me that in the morning it hadn't started fermenting.
>
> What did surprise me, is that the airlock had just started to pull air
> into the demijohn. The water in the airlock was actually being pulled
> into the demijohn instead of expelling gas like it should. I left the
> airlock out for a few minutes (I figured that if the yeast wants air,
> its wise to let it have what it wants). I put the airlock back in and
> went for a shower. When I got back it had started fermenting normally.
>
> Anybody else have this happen? Any ideas what caused it? The lovely
> assistant at my local homebrew store was as surprised as I was at this.

As others have said you are building a crude barometer/ thermometer
when you seal up the carboy. I doubt this had anything to do with
yeast. You shouldn't seal the carboy the first day or two, yeast need
oxygen initially.

Next time just cover the opening for the first few days until the
yeast gets going.
Joe


>
> What did surprise me, is that the airlock had just started to pull air
> into the demijohn. The water in the airlock was actually being pulled
> into the demijohn instead of expelling gas like it should. I left the
> airlock out for a few minutes (I figured that if the yeast wants air,
> its wise to let it have what it wants). I put the airlock back in and
> went for a shower. When I got back it had started fermenting normally.
>
> Anybody else have this happen? Any ideas what caused it? The lovely
> assistant at my local homebrew store was as surprised as I was at this.