Small krausen after 48 hours

[Waterlogged]

I did an imperial stout (og: 1.08) at the mash occur.  Pitched each carboy with 1.5 litre starter from washed wyeast 1056. After 24 hour small krausen in 1, a little top foam in other.  Added slurry from another mason jar of washed yeast into both.  Another 24 hours and first carboy has same thin fräulein (1/2 inch), second now has same.  The started had a huge overflowing krausend when I pitched it.  Should I ad a third mason jar of yeast? Temp is 19 degrees.  A little warmer maybe?

[Chris Craig]

No.  Adding yeast probably won't help much at this point.  They're doing their thing.  Aeration is pretty important with a beer as big as this.  You saw I was using O2 in mine.  I pitched a 2L starter into 1.090 wort and it was coming out the blowoff tube in 12 hours.

The temperature isn't the problem.

Now, all that said, there isn't necessarily a problem.  At this point, I'd leave it alone.

[Waterlogged]

I used one of those drill aerators in each for at least minute or two before pitching the yeast which is what I usually do.  I have been giving it a shake ever couple of hours to stir things up a bit.

[Chris Craig]

From Jamil's Yeast book:

This book is the Yeast bible.

Recommended O2 level = 8 - 10 ppm

Shaking, 5 minutes = 2.71 ppm
30 seconds, pure O2 = 5.12 ppm
60 seconds, pure O2 = 9.20 ppm
120 seconds, pure O2 = 14.08 ppm

[Waterlogged]

Should I hit it with the aerator again or shake it some more?

[Chris Craig]

No, leave it now.

[Waterlogged]

Still no real fermentation action this morning.  Consiidering dropping in a pack if us-o5 once noble grape opens. 

[Chris Craig]

Did you check the gravity?

[Waterlogged]

It is down from about 1.078 to about 1.058.  There are large bubbles and some foam but not much.  There are tiny bubbles percolating up the sides but no churning action.  Lots of sedament on the bottom.  When I check the gravoity of one carbot this morning, I swirled the yeast on the bottom with the auto siphon.  Also, the wort was still very sweet with maybe a hint of algohol. 

[jamie_savoie]

When you pitch the first starter, was it active?  I found that it help ALOT with big gravity beer, not just cell count.  Even if the washed yeast is only a few weeks old

[Chris Craig]

It is down from about 1.078 to about 1.058.  There are large bubbles and some foam but not much.  There are tiny bubbles percolating up the sides but no churning action.  Lots of sedament on the bottom.  When I check the gravoity of one carbot this morning, I swirled the yeast on the bottom with the auto siphon.  Also, the wort was still very sweet with maybe a hint of algohol. 

20 points since Saturday.  I'd say things are going ok...not ideal, but just wait it out now.  I do think you'll finish higher than you expected, but it may work out for you.  Either way, there's nothing you can do now.

[Waterlogged]

I made a 3 litre starter and had it overflowing.  Also added a second mason jars slurry on Sunday when noting was realy happening.  So it is too late to put in some US-05?

[Chris Craig]

It won't hurt, but by the time that yeast grows enough, the beer will have pretty much fermented out.

[Waterlogged]

Well, things are still chugging along so will leave everything alone and hope for the best.

[JohnQ]

Did you use Fermcap during your boil?
I know someone had some around right?

JQ