Did I kill my grains?

[mountainsunshine]

I have been pretty busy the last couple of weeks and my water kefir grains have been hiding in the fridge in some sugar water. I change the water and add new sugar when I trhink of it. I see the last time I added sugar it is still sorta sitting in the botttom of the jar and today I dropped some in some water to brew a batch and don't smell any ferment action. Tell me the lowdown please. Will it just be slow to start? How do I know if I killed em? Anything I can do? TIA
Sarah

[krankedyann]

Probably a slow start. The only way I've killed grains was to put them through the blender.

[dogmom327]

They're likely fine. Just take them out and put them in fresh sugar water. They may work immediately or it may take a batch or two.

Definitely keep them away from blenders

[krankedyann]

Yeah, that's what I got for trying to make a smoothie while half-asleep. lol!

[mountainsunshine]

so I have some grains in a water solution for 24hrs. It does taste a bit kefir-like. What should I do? Start another batch? Let em bubble in what they are in for another day?

Sarah

[dogmom327]

Originally Posted by mountainsunshine

so I have some grains in a water solution for 24hrs. It does taste a bit kefir-like. What should I do? Start another batch? Let em bubble in what they are in for another day?

Sarah

Totally up to you. You can let them go another day (they'll eat more of the sugar) or switch them out. Glad to hear they're doing well!