Yeast ranching

[MEB]

I've been spending some time finding out about this. With a little work i think it can be done adequately within a home brewery. If you have the inclination to do so. Which i have.

I have managed to source some equipment and am awaiting it's arrival. I'm going to do a test run and then i'll post a detailed description of how i did it along with pic's.
Basically i'm only doing this so i can store some yeast that i like but don't use often. It is a good way to store yeast without having loads of jar's or the like taking up a whole fridge.

A link about agar...
http://www.oxoid.com/UK/blue/prod_detail/prod_detail.asp?pr=CM0041&org=149&c=UK&lang=EN
It's fairly complex but gives a good detailed description.

 

[Oblivious]

It might be worth investing in a pressure cooker as a standard boil may not give the level of sterilization needed

 

[MEB]

Good point OB. I'm a bit nervous of pressure cookers-i had one explode about 15 years ago and have been avoiding them ever since. Hopefully they are a bit more reliable nowadays.

 

[Oblivious]

i had one explode about 15 years ago and have been avoiding them ever since. Hopefully they are a bit more reliable nowadays.

God I hope so to

One advantage of work in a lab I have access to some nice autoclave

 

[MEB]

mmm. My British Cask got infected and has been binned :evil: Going over my notes the only thing i seemed to not have sterilised was the scissors i used to cut open the smack pack. So with my Thames Valley i sterilised the scissors and gave my hands a good wash in a thin bleach solution and then a light rinse. It's now been in the DJ for 3 days and looks and smells like it should.
I'm getting myself a pressure cooker today-whats the procedure for sterilising stuff in a pressure cooker? Saying that, i wonder if there are any autoclave for sale on trade me/fleabay? :hmm:

 

[Aleman]

Place things in pressure cooker with lids loosely on . . . Put lid on, and bring to boiling, allow to boil for a minute or so, then add the weights . . . bring up to pressure and then cook for 15 minutes . . . turn off heat . . . allow to cool, once pressure has dropped remove lid and tighten lids of things you put in there.
. . . Job Done

 

[MEB]

Are the weights just to stop the items from bumping around in the PC Aleman?

 

[Aleman]

Sorry my pressure cooker, has weights that you put on, the steam outlet to set the pressure you want to use . . . 15lb for 15 minutes which is equivalent to 121C.

 

[MEB]

Ah, ok. :thumb: