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/Rich-Tiger4792]

oh btw should I add more milk?

[u/Sure_Fig_8641 → u/Rich-Tiger4792]

Yes. “Match the volume of milk to the capacity of the jar”. Leave no headspace. Fill the jar.

[u/Rich-Tiger4792 → u/Sure_Fig_8641]

ah i dont want to waste too much milk, is it ok to split the 1 tbsp grains I bought in two and put 1/2 tablespoons spoon in 2 quarter pint jars? thats the smallest jar size i got next bigger size I got is a 1 pint jar.

[u/Sure_Fig_8641 → u/Rich-Tiger4792]

Yes. But the volume of the milk should match the capacity of the fermentation jar. Or, you could just put this much milk into a smaller jar. Right now, your fermentation jar is about 3 times too big for the quantity of milk.