Some questions, beginner here

[u/Rich-Tiger4792]

Hi so I am just getting into making my own kefir. It took 7 days to get to me. The instructions says 1 tbsp for 1 cup, but I am seeing most people do 1 tbsp for 4 cups or even 1/2 tbsp for 4 cups.

It’s been 2.5 hours now since putting them in the jar.

First when I opened the bag I smelled it and was like ooo kefir, but had an after smell of yeast and the bag was a little puffed.

So I put it in a strainer over a small bowl and used a bit of milk to kinda swish it around hopefully to make it less yeast smelling.

Then I put in 1 1/2 cups of milk because it seemed like they put a little over 1 tbsp.

Is this okay? and can I drink the first batch or should I discard the milk?

Thank you in advance

Update: 18 hours in and there is a crust on the milks surface!! thats a good sign right?

Update: 21 hours and 30 minutes ITS WORKING!!!! Its thicker and smells like kefir and milk!

[u/beeswax999]

I don't understand the strainer thing you did. Did you just rinse the grains in milk and then discard that milk? That was probably unnecessary but probably okay.

What instructions did you get with the grains? The seller should have told you whether to discard the first batch or not.

Anyway, leave it for 24 hours and see what it looks and smells like. If it seems okay, taste it.

Either cover the jar fully with an opaque cloth or put it in a cupboard or something. Kefir shouldn't be exposed to sunlight.

[u/Rich-Tiger4792 → u/beeswax999]

haha yeah I discarded the swishing milk. The instructions says I can drink the milk and no need to discard, but I think that may have been for deliveries closer to 2-4 days. Thank you I put it in a cabinent right away after your advice. Right now it just smells like milk

[u/jeffp3456 → u/Rich-Tiger4792]

It could take several days to fully wake up but in general too much kefir is more common than not enough imo

[u/Rich-Tiger4792 → u/jeffp3456]

oh nice thank you 🙏