yeast harvesting question

[mirsultankhan]

Hi I am trying to harvest yeast and after reading several articles and watching several videos it still seems somewhat elusive. I transferred the yeast cake into a 4.5 litre demijohn and added water as advised. It was explained that the yeast separates into three layers, the beer and water on top, the yeast in the middle and the trub at the bottom. I have no problem separating the beer remnants and the water, however it seems that there is no dark trub layer or thats all I have is trub and there is no yeast, I don't know, but there is no real distinction in the layer below the beer and water, please see picture. Any suggestions would be helpful because I would really like to have a go at harvesting yeast - many thanks for taking the time Robbie

 

[ManseMasher]

Hi I am trying to harvest yeast and after reading several articles and watching several videos it still seems somewhat elusive. I transferred the yeast cake into a 4.5 litre demijohn and added water as advised. It was explained that the yeast separates into three layers, the beer and water on top, the yeast in the middle and the trub at the bottom. I have no problem separating the beer remnants and the water, however it seems that there is no dark trub layer or thats all I have is trub and there is no yeast, I don't know, but there is no real distinction in the layer below the beer and water, please see picture. Any suggestions would be helpful because I would really like to have a go at harvesting yeast - many thanks for taking the time Robbie

I've been doing the same this morning. I have to say that looks like all trub and no yeast. If you go into the grain, hops, yeast forum you'll find pics of mine (thread is called yeast slurry). You can see the yeast layer...

 

[mirsultankhan]

I've been doing the same this morning. I have to say that looks like all trub and no yeast. If you go into the grain, hops, yeast forum you'll find pics of mine (thread is called yeast slurry). You can see the yeast layer...

No yeast, gulp, say it ain't so, how could that be, ohhh the pain! Is there no justice?

Will check out the thread and report back

 

[ManseMasher]

What you could try is make a starter wort with dme, and pitch what you've got into it to see if it starts fermenting? Then you can harvest from that, or even pitch directly into your next brew?

 

[mirsultankhan]

What you could try is make a starter wort with dme, and pitch what you've got into it to see if it starts fermenting? Then you can harvest from that, or even pitch directly into your next brew?

hmmm if i stick it in the fridge will it have any noticeable effect?

 

[clibit]

There must be yeast in there.

 

[ManseMasher]

Only that it will clear quickly I think. Any yeast remaining will go to sleep. If you make a starter with it then whatever yeast is mixed in with the trub will have something to munch on, so all is not lost in my opinion!

 

[mirsultankhan]

There must be yeast in there.

yes my own sentiments but getting it to separate from the trub is proving rather elusive!

 

[clibit]

I don't bother! Just minimise trub from the boil into the FV and I don't often dry hop, and don't use the yeast again if I do. I should use hop bags for dry hop.

 

[stevej]

yes my own sentiments but getting it to separate from the trub is proving rather elusive!

I have pitched on top of trub a couple of times now both times the ale has turned out good, Infact i brewed a HBC Particular Peters Stout yesterday morning and pitched that on a whitelabs yeast trub went of like a rocket within 45 mins glad i fitted a blow off tube

 

[mirsultankhan]

Wow wait a minute, let me see if I understand you correctly, you poured your sweet wort right on top of a trub/yeast cake from a previous brew? Alas I am far too wussy for that, sigh. . . . .

 

[stevej]

Wow wait a minute, let me see if I understand you correctly, you poured your sweet wort right on top of a trub/yeast cake from a previous brew? Alas I am far too wussy for that, sigh. . . . .

Pretty much so:grin:

 

[mirsultankhan]

Pretty much so:grin:

pure genius!

 

[stevej]

It may not be the done thing i dont no but its worked for me with good results so far

 

[mirsultankhan]

It may not be the done thing i dont no but its worked for me with good results so far

It just makes so much sense, you have no issues with sanitation, your FV is already sanitised, you have no issues with cell count, you have a huge yeast cake just waiting for sweet wort. How many times do you use the same yeast cake Steve?

 

[stevej]

It just makes so much sense, you have no issues with sanitation, your FV is already sanitised, you have no issues with cell count, you have a huge yeast cake just waiting for sweet wort. How many times do you use the same yeast cake Steve?

Ive never used it more than 2 times

 

[clibit]

Not entirely true that you have no issues with cell count, you are almost certainly over-pitching.

 

[stevej]

Not entirely true that you have no issues with cell count, you are almost certainly over-pitching.

True what i should have said was i took a guess and used half of the trub not the full amount STILL just a guess tho

 

[ManseMasher]

6 hours in - the clingfilm initially was below the rim, now you can see it is starting to rise. Happy days!!

 

[stevej]

6 hours in - the clingfilm initially was below the rim, now you can see it is starting to rise. Happy days!!

Mines like a scene from pompeii MM theres a proper:party: going on in the fv:-)