Sawdust not fermenting?

So, I started fresh with some Oak Traeger pellets, and am fermenting a large quantity of it, almost 16 qts. However, it was getting really hot and fermenting well, but a week ago it cooled off completely, and still hasn't heated up again. It's still not rotten enough to use yet.

Did I not put enough flour/yeast? I think I put 5 cups of flour and 5 teaspoons of yeast, so I would think that lack of supplemental additives isn't the problem...

 
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How's the temperature outside? Mixing daily? Also, I found wheat bran works the best thanks to @Shade of Eclipse.

 
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Ratmosphere said:
How's the temperature outside? Mixing daily? Also, I found wheat bran works the best thanks to @Shade of Eclipse.
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Well I'm fermenting it in my bedroom, but outside temps have been varying from the low 70s to the 80s. Yup, still mixing daily! Good to know, I've had good success using flour before though, but for some reason this batch has come to a standstill...

 
What are you keeping it in? I'd try those breathable bags! I heard that adding a small amount of beer could kick off fermentation but I never tried it. Making substrate is frustrating sometimes. I had about 5 batches going and only one is useable right now. I want to get a composter so I could produce it in a short amount of time.

 
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Ratmosphere said:
What are you keeping it in? I'd try those breathable bags! I heard that adding a small amount of beer could kick off fermentation but I never tried it. Making substrate is frustrating sometimes. I had about 5 batches going and only one is useable right now. I want to get a composter so I could produce it in a short amount of time.
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Keeping it in a large, well ventilated plastic tote right now, not really sure why it's not doing much right now. I've noticed in the past couple days it's felt a LITTLE warm towards the bottom, but it's barely noticeable, and hasn't intensified at all.

Don't have any beer lol, wonder if wine would work...

That sucks, well hopefully this stuff will start fermenting again soon, really want it ready asap!

 
Well, now there are tiny black flies living in my sawdust, they ain't fungus gnats, they actually look really weird, not like any fly I've ever seen, but they are LIVING in my sawdust, maybe breeding in it, who knows. To me, this seems to signify that the wood has stopped fermenting all together. If nothing changes by Wednesday, I'm adding another cup or so of flour and a teaspoon of yeast.

 
Hisserdude said:
Well, now there are tiny black flies living in my sawdust, they ain't fungus gnats, they actually look really weird, not like any fly I've ever seen, but they are LIVING in my sawdust, maybe breeding in it, who knows. To me, this seems to signify that the wood has stopped fermenting all together. If nothing changes by Wednesday, I'm adding another cup or so of flour and a teaspoon of yeast.
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Good luck! What recipe are you using to ferment the wood?

 
I have tried everything, adding more flour, some sugar and lots more yeast, and NOTHING is happening!!! On top of that, grain mites seem to be taking up residence in the sawdust now.
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I'm about ready to call it quits, and I'm sure what with all the crap I've put into it now, it's probably unpalatable. Would putting it in my 90F+ garage help matters or make them worse? I don't really want the stuff in the house next to my collection since it's got grain mites now.

 
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