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rockfish42 · 10-27-2011, 05:23 PM

Depends on the starter size, the amount of yeast you started with, the way the starter is kept etc. Here's a website that should answer most of your questions. If you really want to get into the details buy a copy of Yeast.
http://www.mrmalty.com/starter_faq.php
http://www.amazon.com/Yeast-Practical-Fermentation-Brewing-Elements/dp/0937381969

Malticulous · 10-27-2011, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cutchemist42

I've actually been brewing for about 2 years but after reading this book, started thinking about my yeast. So how many billion yeast cells are created with a starter?

A two liter simple starter will double a smack pack.

jfr1111 · 10-28-2011, 03:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrewerinBR

Wyeast have two products an Activator and a Propagator. According to Wyeast the Activator is sufficient to inoculate a 5 gallon batch and the Propagator is not and needs a starter. Both have "smack pack" nutrients inside. I have used both with excellent success. I make 1.5 quarts of wort for both kinds. Some will say the Activator really does not need one some say all of them need a starter. I make starters, is easy and fast and fun

Propagators don't exist anymore btw.

kh54s10 · 10-28-2011, 03:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfr1111

Propagators don't exist anymore btw.

Was about to post this then read the rest of the responses.

DannPM · 10-28-2011, 04:36 AM

Anything over 1.050 I'm using 2 packs worth or the appropriate level starter. Pitching 1 million cells per ml of wort per degree plato is a good rule of thumb.

**paulster2626** · 10-28-2011, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DannPM

Anything over 1.050 I'm using 2 packs worth or the appropriate level starter. Pitching 1 million cells per ml of wort per degree plato is a good rule of thumb.

2 packs?!! Man I find liquid yeast to be, well, a huge ripoff. I've started washing it when I use it, but have also been trying to stick to recipes that are dry-yeast friendly. Even $2 or so for the dry stuff seems like a ripoff to me. And believe me, I'm no cheap bastard.

I just hate constantly buying stuff that I can either reuse, or make more of for free via a starter. Although it is fun to smack those things...

solavirtus · 10-28-2011, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulster2626

2 packs?!! Man I find liquid yeast to be, well, a huge ripoff.

It seems to me like a small price to pay to turn your sugar water into good beer. They yeast are doing the lion's share of that work!

**paulster2626** · 10-28-2011, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solavirtus

It seems to me like a small price to pay to turn your sugar water into good beer. They yeast are doing the lion's share of that work!

Right, but it's still just yeast. Just something doing a chemical reaction/enzyme conversion/whatever you want to call it. There are about a billion different organisms and chemicals that do this to other things on this planet. Yeast is nothing special.

Anyhow - it's simple enough to wash yeast and save it for later, so it's all good.

rockfish42 · 10-28-2011, 06:29 PM

It comes down to money vs time for most people, if I had time to brew more often I'd wash yeast to save money. Since I only get to brew at best once every other month, it's important that my investment in time pays off.
I don't have a great place to do lab work, and my OCD biologist tendencies keep me from storing frozen slants etc.

jfr1111 · 10-28-2011, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulster2626

2 packs?!! Man I find liquid yeast to be, well, a huge ripoff. I've started washing it when I use it, but have also been trying to stick to recipes that are dry-yeast friendly. Even $2 or so for the dry stuff seems like a ripoff to me. And believe me, I'm no cheap bastard.

I just hate constantly buying stuff that I can either reuse, or make more of for free via a starter. Although it is fun to smack those things...

I've started to top crop US-05 (with some success) and I've stopped using liquid strains that aren't either top cropping friendly or that need gelatin to clear (gelatin messes with yeats washing).