yeast washing story

amishland · 04-20-2008, 11:32 PM

so I have read the wiki about washing yeast about 10 times through.

I boiled two liter jars and 3 pint sized mason jars. I figured that I would fill the two larger jars up and then transfer into the 3 pint jars. I only want to wash and save a few.

I was doing fine till I put the hot jars in a cold water bath. The two liter jam jars began to crack (but not break and not leaking at all), so I quickly drained the sink and decided to let every one cool down slowly.

Now the liter jars I have are now cracked. And I know cracks can harbor bacteria, so I will be throwing them away. But can I still use them this one time for the first pours out of my carboy. Then after 20 min of settle time pour out of the cracked liter jam jars into the 3 pint jars, then pitch the cracked jars into my recycling bin?

**Schlenkerla** · 04-21-2008, 12:09 AM

I wouldn't bother using any cracked jars on my yeast washing. Its not worth the risk of injurying somebody.

Pitch'em and get a few more. I often save spagetti sauce jars for this.

**Bernie Brewer** · 04-21-2008, 12:15 AM

LOL I guess you learned the hard way why you cool your jars in the fridge and not in a cold water bath. I always boil my jars the night before I rack the beer, that way everything is ready to go when you rack and wash.

**Dr_Deathweed** · 04-21-2008, 12:28 AM

Yeah, chunk the cracked jars and prepare your water the night before and cool in the fridge.

Hoosierbrewer · 04-21-2008, 01:46 AM

I boiled mine today and let them cool some on the countertop then moved to the fridge. They have done well. I have canned a lot of stuff in my life, so I knew not to put them in water.

My only concern is that I have soft water and it left a little white residue on the glass. I know the water is clean, will the residue (salt?) hurt the yeast?

quickerNu · 04-21-2008, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoosierbrewer

My only concern is that I have soft water and it left a little white residue on the glass. I know the water is clean, will the residue (salt?) hurt the yeast?

It has never given me any problems!

**ShortSnoutBrewing** · 04-21-2008, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amishland

so I have read the wiki about washing yeast about 10 times through...

I was doing fine till I put the hot jars in a cold water bath...

This response isn't meant to be condescending, so please don't take it that way. But you state you read the wiki 10 times through, but then you put the HOT jars in a COLD water bath. Where in the wiki does it state to do that?

But as others have stated, ditch those bottles and start over again. No reason to take chances with the unstable glass. Either do the boil the night before or first thing in the morning and let sit in the fridge for several hours before you wash.