fermenting but not bubbling ?

[pas8280]

My second AG went into the fermentor Friday afternoon and was fitted with a bubbler air lock the FV is the tapered type with a 3" cap (bubbler in the cap) now as it was all wrappped up i relied on seeing bubbles to know that it had started, Saturday evening still no bubbles so i decided to unwrap and have a look see inside, all appeared to be as it should and fermentation was under way so sealed up again.
Today exactly the same no bubbles so i decided to change the bubbler, still no bubbles but the pressure seems to have been taken up in the water inside the bubbler just not bubbling.
I dont believe that the pressure is escaping elsewhere just wondering if anyone has any other ideas, could it be down to the type of yeast producing less co2?

[6470zzy]

Do you have krausen on the beer?

[pas8280]

Oops big lack of knowledge on my part whats Krausen ? (sorry bit green at the moment)

[6470zzy]

Krausen is the head of foam on the top of the beer as it is in its 1st fermentation.

[prolix]

what type of fermenter is it? V vessel?

bins will not bubble as co2 can escape around the lid, are you sure the seal is airtight?

But if the SG is going down I would not worry about the bubbler not bubbling, same amount of co2 released for same amount of sugars converted, must not be airtight.

[pas8280]

Ah in that case yes it has, but the bubbles seem quite large in comparison to the other brews ! Its a screw top type FV 3" cap which all appears tight as i say the water in the bubbler has moved from 50/50 between two spheres to all of it in the out going sphere (does that make sense)

[Philipek]

I recently got a bucket. Being used to my carboy, I was a bit concerned when I noticed that there was no bubbling in the airlock. I immediately assumed that there was a dodgy seal on the bucket. I'm a bit paranoid about sanitation. That's the only reason why the bubbling worried me. There are a plenty of people here who use a bucket with no airlock and crack the lid at two points to allow the CO2 to escape. If there's no bubbling but the gravity is going down then you've got a dodgy seal.

Phil

[Fatgodzilla]

Pretty common also to use cling wrap rather than a lid. Ignores completely the concept of the bubbling airlock. Experience and a decent hydrometer will tell you when its done. Your brew's natural reactions will cause a layer of CO2 to form over the beer, protecting it from a lot of airborn nasties. You'll get more problems from "opening" your lids to see if something has happened !

When you know enough, you'll understand why few (any ?) experiencedbrewers trust an airlock.

Good luck with your brewing

[vacant]

You can also use clingfilm (or vaseline) just around the thread of the cap to help get an airtight seal.

[pas8280]

Thanks guys i have just taken a reading 3 days in and its down to 1016 from 1052 thats excellent (i think) so i must have a bad seal somewhere ? so think i will leave well alone for another 6 or 7 days recheck and bottle panic over i think cheers

[trucker5774]

I use a youngs bucket and lid with an air lock (just my choice) I like the air lock as a guide but just a little experience will show you when it's underway and your hydrometer will tell you when it's done. In general poor seals are often down to bad "O" rings or seats together with over tightening. Cling film and vaseline has already been mentioned. To test for leaks (best with a dummy brew with some sugar water and yeast) just brush plenty of washing up liquid and water around the outside of the seal when the vessel has pressure in it. You will see the mixture foam up like frog spawn if there is a leak. It has served the gas fitting trade for years!

[harry_mac]

To test for leaks (best with a dummy brew with some sugar water and yeast) just brush plenty of washing up liquid and water around the outside of the seal when the vessel has pressure in it. You will see the mixture foam up like frog spawn if there is a leak. It has served the gas fitting trade for years!

I thought a lighter was the gas fitter's way to find leaks

[trucker5774]

To test for leaks (best with a dummy brew with some sugar water and yeast) just brush plenty of washing up liquid and water around the outside of the seal when the vessel has pressure in it. You will see the mixture foam up like frog spawn if there is a leak. It has served the gas fitting trade for years!

I thought a lighter was the gas fitter's way to find leaks

You caught me..........I do that too......wont work with CO2 though