BeerBorg

I am new to brew demon and just ordered a three pack plus refill kit. When I get it I was wondering if you should airate?

I don't know that it's all that necessary on smaller batches like the 2 gallon BrewDemon but it will help the yeast get more active and happy.

Thanks I've done BIAB and have always shook up the wort but never a straight extract wasn't sure the conical fermenter is a new purchase can't wait.

gotpwr6 wrote:Thanks I've done BIAB and have always shook up the wort but never a straight extract wasn't sure the conical fermenter is a new purchase can't wait.

When I brewed with Mr. Beer I would use a wire whisk to agitate the wort before i would pitch the yeast.

I thought about putting one on my cordless drill and run for a min or 2.

The wire whisk is how I did it also for my Mr Beer batches. I eventually moved up to 5 gallon batches. Still use the wire whisk, but now it's attached to a power hand mixer. So attaching it to a cordless drill will work perfectly. Just be careful not to scratch the sides of the fermenter.


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A teflon coated whisk ensures no scratching.

My concern about a power drill is that mine are full of yard, shop, boat and basement dust. Maybe an infection? I've used a hand whisk too, but mostly an aggressive pour.

You can even use an aquarium pump with a diffuser stone on the end of the tubing, let it run for about 3-4 minutes.

Anymore the only aeration my batches get when using dry yeast is when I transfer wort from the kettle to the carboy where it splashes a bit. I then give a little shake to mix things up after I pitch the yeast. Personally I would focus on rehydration over aeration. And using a better yeast than the one that comes with the refills. But being your first batch, use the yeast, aerate a little bit with a spoon or wisk and let it rip. Look into making improvements on tbe batches to come.

Thanks all for the responses I have used an air pump before on my first and only all grain batch. Everything turned out fine. I have read that there is no need for Airating with dry yeat packets but I still give mix it up and give it some shakes. Thanks again all the info is much appreciated

gotpwr6 wrote:Thanks all for the responses. I have read that there is no need for Airating with dry yeat packets but I still give mix it up and give it some shakes. Thanks again all the info is much appreciated

I was going to mention that in my post but didn't want to derail your thread with all the mixed reviews on that subject. I have found in my experience with dry yeasts that yeah, aeration won't hurt but it doesn't seem to be needed. Now with liquid strains, we are talking a different animal. Go with a little wisking or shaking to mix things up and I would call it good.

Also welcome to the forum. Happy brewing.

Just weighing in here. All yeast needs oxygen to propagate properly. As the water is boiled, the oxygen is released into the atmosphere, so there needs to be some sort of oxygen added to the wort before pitching. Before I went AG, I would aggressively whip up the wort before pitching. I soon read the book on yeast, and everything led to oxygenation on any size batch. When I started making the stupid easy cider, I noticed that the yeast would take a long time to get going. I started to oxygenate the apple juice and in 12-18 hours later I saw krausen. Oxygenation has greatly helped in making great beer (and cider). IMO the 2 best things I did for my brewing experience has been temp control and oxygenation. I don't put much faith in the dry yeast needs no airating. I have tried it both ways and get a better response with it rather than not. I think the yeast gets too stressed without the environment it needs to go through the motions to properly 'chew' through fermentables. 2 cents worth.