Splitting Yeast

[Wez]

I have 3x WLPxxx liquid yeasts due to arrive soon, I want to use the methods set out by MEB and JP for making a starter but then I want to split it into 6 seperate bottles, use 1 at the weekend and store the other 6 away for another day.

How do I do that? :?

 

[Vossy1]

I don't think you'll have enough time to make a starter, split it, and then make up a suitably sized starter before the weekend Wez

It can take 2-3 days for a small starter to ferment out, then you'll need to split it 6 ways and repeat the process.

Mr Malty is quite useful http://www.mrmalty.com/starter_faq.htm

 

[Oblivious]

I generally give a starter 5 day to star and ferment out, as some I have used have had viability issues, you might be best is just to make one starter and the collect the yeast and the end of fermentation?

 

[Wez]

ah well maybe this time i'll just make up a starter on Thursday night for Saturdays brew and chuck it all in. Can i use the slurry to grow it on once it's fermented out?

Edit: OB we cross-posted, you answered my question

 

[Oblivious]

You can Mr malty has a pitching rate for slurry, but don't use all of it as even most barely wines would not even need this.

I don't generally have a brew ready when i transfer so i wash the yeast a keep it in the fridge, but i make a starter again if it been more than a few day to confirm viability and grow up the yeast gain

 

[Wez]

What does washing the yeast mean, i've seen that mentioned a few times

 

[Oblivious]

It a method of saving the yeast cake but remove the trub

Here is a compact version of the method:

Pour a liter of the slurring into a large sanitized container, put in the fridge for 1-2 hours to begin to settle out the trub.

Once this has begin to settle pour the liquid of into a new contain (500ml or so) put this in the fridge for a few days or so till all the yeast has steeled out.

Again pour off the most of the liquid layer and transfer if you can the yeast slurry to a smaller container store in the fridge, this is your yeast. I split the yeast into sterile 50ml tube that I can get in the lab, this probably not practical for mast people.

Here are a few illustrated methods:

http://www.donosborn.com/homebrew/yeast ... st_way.htm

http://hbd.org/carboy/yeast_washing.htm

and one last one http://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=41768

 

[Wez]

Thanks OB, looking forward to giving this a try :)

 

[MEB]

Ob has steered me in this direction before. I have used his method on a number of occasions succesfully.
I've also 'grown on' yeast slurry in exactly the same way as i do smack packs.

In fact it was Ob who got me into liquid yeasts and re-using yeasts in the first place. I'm so glad he did as i really enjoy playing around with yeasts.