Greenspey

Recipes 

I started my second batch today, with steeped grains and extract. I cooled the wort in the kettle down to 75deg in 20min in the sink with ice and water, and not completely thinking, added the extra 3 gallons of water to bring it up to ~5 gallons. The water had been cooled so when I checked the temp it was 56deg for the full 5gal.

I had rehydrated the yeast at 68deg and pitched it anyway, assuming that you cannot overcool yeast, just kill it with heat. Is this OK? Is there harm in the wort being too cool or of "shocking" the yeast?

I figure that once the wort warms up to room temp (aiming for 68deg in a 72deg room right now) it should be fine. Any thoughts?

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BryanZ

Recipes 

you've made one more batch then me but....

aren't you supposed to pitch the yeast before you add the water?

Reno Homebrewer

Recipes 

No, you need to get the wort to 5 gallons before you pitch. Take your Hydrometer reading, aerate some, then Pitch. As far as the original question goes, you are probably right. It will just be a slow-starter. I usually pitch the yeast when the wort is around 75F, and let it ferment at the recommended temp for the yeast I'm using.

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Professor Frink

Recipes 

If you pitched at 56 degrees, then just let it warm up and it will be fine. The fermentation will start slower, but there shouldn't be any effects.

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Greenspey

Recipes 

Thanks to all. I figured as much, but thought I'd check. It's comforting knowing there's a place for such noobie questions.

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SenorWanderer

Recipes 

the temperature differential between the wort and the yeast will shock the yeast (you wouldn't like it if someone threw you into a 56F pool, would you?!), but will end up just fine. many breweries and brewers start ales fermenting at low temperatures and allow the wort temperature to rise slowly. this practice prevents fusel alcohol and ester production, resulting in a cleaner tasting beer.

Greenspey

Recipes 

Well, it was bubbling away after 15 hours (2-3bubbles/second), so I figure it was just fine and warmed up well. Now it's sitting at 66deg and still vigorous. I had read that there are less esters at lower temps. I guess I'll get to see!

I love this hobby, but this whole waiting thing is getting old. Thanks for the info.

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EvilTOJ

Recipes 

The only cure for the waiting game, is to make more batches!

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CEMaine

Recipes 

+++1 there!!

Do not want to wait? BREW MORE!!

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boo boo

Recipes 

When rehydrating dry yeast you should have your water at the proper temperture. Higher or lower than recommended will stress out the cells.

http://www.bodensatz.com/staticpages/index.php?page=20020430195005429

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