Brew UK Forum | General Brewing Discussions
My first yeast starter - Help please!
Hey all,
So I got me smack pack wyeast and smacked it and in a day it was about to explode so I made up the 2ltr starter as described, cooled it to 21c and chucked the yeast in. I shook it every chance I got and went to work then came back and had a look at it (30hrs later) and I dont really know what im looking for. It hasnt really got much of a head, just a couple of ml and dont seem turbulant at all and also has what could be 1cm of turb or may just be a dusting on the sides, cant realt tell.
Anyway I gave it another shake and the pressure build up was aparent so I suppose its working, but I wanted other peoples experiences. Does much of a head develop?
Im just super mega ultra worried as this is for the forum beer tomorow!
Ta,
ps - oh forgot to mention I sanitised everything with videne (note to self - must find out if sanitise is an american word)
Nath
Responses
Posted 2 years ago by Member
Are you using an air lock?
You say it built up pressure.
The growth phase of yeast is very oxygen dependant.
The purpose of shaking the starter is to dissolve oxygen into the wort which will allow the yeast to multiply rapidly. Don't worry about tainting the beer as you'll be throwing it away anyway and just pitching the yeast slurry.
I cover loosely with a piece of tin foil.
Also, after 30 hours I wouldn't expect to see that much activity. I'd allow at least 48 hours before pitching.
Maybe more.
Posted 2 years ago by Moderator
Ahhhhhhh, I thought I was supposed to pitch the whole lot.
I also cover with a piece of tin foil with some holes in it to let co2 escape. The build up of pressure was because i covered the top a shook, which then released gas when i let go.
How do you pitch the slurry then, just flick the stuff in there?
Plannin'-
Loads a beer after an upgrade!
nathbrew@gmail.com
Posted 2 years ago by Moderator
Sounds complicated, I also thought you just chucked the whole lot in!!! Think when I have a go at liquid yeast i'll use a Activator and chuck it in!
What do you think of the Vidine??
Posted 2 years ago by Moderator
Dunno yet. To be honest Im a little dubious as I used it for my last ever kit lagers which I bottled. The taste was shall we say....um .....dish-clothy. I did wonder if its infection but to be honest it was probably a bad kit. I wont mention which one - lets just say it was one of the cheapest.
Still I will be vidineing the whole day tomorow and when I botle up in a week so lets see shall we!
Plannin'-
Loads a beer after an upgrade!
nathbrew@gmail.com
Posted 2 years ago by Member
You don't add the whole deal because it will change the length, colour, taste and IBU of your very carefully constructed beer recipe.
Let the yeast settle out (shouldn't take long).
Decant the beer off the top and set aside.
Use some fresh wort to loosen the yeast.
Give it a good swirl around and chuck it in the FV.
Repeat as necessary.
I usually do this first and add the wort on top of the yeast. After cooling in the boiler of course.
Posted 2 years ago by Moderator
"Nath812 Wrote: Dunno yet. To be honest Im a little dubious as I used it for my last ever kit lagers which I bottled. The taste was shall we say....um .....dish-clothy. I did wonder if its infection but to be honest it was probably a bad kit. I wont mention which one - lets just say it was one of the cheapest.
Still I will be vidineing the whole day tomorow and when I botle up in a week so lets see shall we!"
I've useded Vidine for lots of brews and never had a problem! they key is 30sec contact time! and I always clean out with a cloth and warm water before vidineing! as you say it could be the beer kit???
Posted 2 years ago by Member
Hey Dan!
30 sec contact... I thought (when bottling), it was a no-rinse. If that's the case, it'll stay in the bottle until the beer hits it.
Sorry Dan ... first thing in the morning and the kids won't leave me along... can't think straight!
Do you use it for all your sanitizing/sterilising? If so, do you use it in a spray or some other way?
(with grateful thanks to the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers and slightly adapted)
Posted 2 years ago by Admin
Nath, I just chuck the whole lot in which is what Wyeast suggest you do. I guess Varnish's method is probably better but never had any issues. I've got one on the go now which I'm going to pitch later today.
The activators are definitely easier as you can avoid the starter all together. I also have one of these on the go.
Double brew day for me today but running a bit late so its going to be a late one.
Posted 2 years ago by Moderator
Yeah I second that greg the first mash is gonna be out about 11.30! Oh well!
Are you gonna use the second kettle for the double run today greg?
Plannin'-
Loads a beer after an upgrade!
nathbrew@gmail.com
Posted 2 years ago by Admin
Hi Mate, no as I haven't had a chance to descale it as yet. My first (Rocker IPA) is in progress, 30 mins into the boil. I'm just going to start over again when its finished so hopefully be all done around 6ish. The Nelson Sauvins smell really nice. Similar to Amarillo. The other brew is going to be a pale ale with Goldings and Challenger to use up some hops I have in the fridge. Both with a wyeast, Pale ale using a London Ale III (propagator in a 2 litre starter) and IPA with Americal 1056 (activator, swelled really quicky but they were only made on Monday so can't really get much fresher than that).
Posted 2 years ago by Moderator
Tony Wrote: Hey Dan!
30 sec contact... I thought (when bottling), it was a no-rinse. If that's the case, it'll stay in the bottle until the beer hits it.
Sorry Dan ... first thing in the morning and the kids won't leave me along... can't think straight!
Do you use it for all your sanitizing/sterilising? If so, do you use it in a spray or some other way?
Yeah its no rinse! it needs 30 sec's contact with the sides of bottle to sterilise! I squirt inside of the bottle! shake, leave 30 secs (filling another bottle up with beer and squirting another bottle with vidine is about 30sec) tip out the solution in the bottle and fill! No need to fath rinsing with water, over and over again to make sure you don't get any vwp residue in your beer!!
Posted 2 years ago by Member
Aha!
Sorry, I got that the wrong way around.... yes, completely understand.
Doh!
Thanks!
(with grateful thanks to the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers and slightly adapted)
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