First CFW fermenting after 3 weeks

[Homer Brewer]

hi all, i hoping to understand what to do here and if i need to be patient or adjust:

I have had my cfw on the go for 3 weeks, 1 packet cornflakes smashed up in the packet (500g) 4 kg sugar 1 large lemon squeezed in, lowans yeast 3 tablespoons.

i put the cornflakes in very hot water, it absorbed all the water which i put in the fermenter and followed the instructions, except the cornflakes all sunk straight to the bottom.

anyway at 30 degrees pitched yeast and for last 3 weeks sits between 18 and 20 and still bubbles.
i did a hydrometer test and it read 1034 so by my calc this is about 5%.

not surr what is going on here or what i can do to save it? maybe add in a tpw? will be going into reflux.

[Zak Griffin]

20 degrees is pretty low for a bakers yeast mate, if you can bump it back up to 30 degrees it should finish off fine.

[Nino]

The temperature is a bit low for bakers yeast. It ferments faster between 25 and 30 degrees. If you have a heat pad use that to keep it warmer and wrap it in an old blanket.

[orcy]

Plus 2 on the temp. 20C is great for ale yeasts. Bakers yeast like it much warmer.

[Homer Brewer]

thanks for that, unanimous then, will put some heat into it.

[Nino]

thanks for that, unanimous then, will put some heat into it.

:handgestures-thumbupleft:

[Sparrow]

Bear in mind, going too hot can produce off flavours. I keep it to 22-24 deg and let it go. It gets there eventually.

[Homer Brewer]

I actually worked off a false assumption that if i pitched it at 30 degrees, it would settle at above room temp with yeast activity but it didnt seem to, but lesson learnt.

[Sparrow]

Bakers can hold its own for the first 24 hours then youll need a heat belt.

[woodduck]

It all depends on where you live but in winter I need to use heaters but come summer you'll find they will happily pop away on there own and some times may even get a bit hot depending on where you have them sitting, like in a small tin shed they might get a bit warm. Just keep an eye on them from time to time and you'll be fine.

[Homer Brewer]

yeah i am in perth and usually i can do a lager home brew over winter although it can take 3 or 4 weeks.

i think i will work according to the seasons, lager in winter and pale ale and cfw in summer. Then I can also use the cooling water to water the grass.

thanks for all the help all.

[Teddysad]

Insulating the fermenter will also help.

One of the best methods is the old car sunshade - the one with shiny reflective foil. Held in place with a bit of bungee cord it works a treat.

[Homer Brewer]

i had an old shirt around the opaque fermenter to prevent any sunlight so the car shade will double up as that also. will get that on there too.