Peregian wrote:Bundaboy, how did your latest batch go, did it finish in 4 days?
I was going to check it in the morning as it is still bubbling but you spurred me on to taking an SG reading.
On opening the lid it was obviously still fizzing away and an SG reading indicated 1.03 - I wouldn't trust that figure too much as there is, as I said, a fair amount of "spritz" in the wash (I did do the spin trick but with so much effervescence I don't know how effective that would be).
Going on that basis I calculate the ferment is about 60% through, and if fermentation is linear (not likely) that means another ~3 days.
Certainly having the higher yeast pitch temperature gets the ferment off to a flying start but as soon as the temperature drops off to room temperature (16-18C) the fermentation drops off to what I would estimate as being a "normal" fermenting rate.
If I could keep the wash temp up towards 30C I reckon I would have a good chance of 4 days - but as we in NSW now pay the highest electricity tariffs in the developed world...
PS: The first was was pitched at 38C, the second at 40C, and the third (by loss of concentration) at 42C. The latter really took off but a day later it seemed to have "stuck" but investigation showed the lock had been pushed out of the grommet so CO2 leaked out of the seal.
I think I'll invest in a decent immersion heater for the next experiment.