Doctor_Wily

Recipes 

Greetings everyone,


I decided to give yeast washing a try cuz, why not? I took 4 jars, boiled them, cooled, added the boiled water to the fermenter swirled and dumped into the jars. Let em sit over night and saw good separation and a distinct 3 layers. I'm a little confused at this point (I already finished so hopefully I didn't fail).

So I have these 3 layers, a clearly liquid layer on top (water n beer), a middle cream colored layer, and a bottom brown/green layer.

I decanted a portion of the top layer because I just had too much for the final 2 jars I was going into. I poured the rest of what I had into the final jars, leaving most of the "middle" layer and bottom. Is the middle layer yeast I should be trying to harvest? Or not worry about it? I'm sure I have plenty of yeast in what I poured off, just looking for clarification on the details.

Cheers!

I drew a picture.

__________________
Primary 1: EMPTY
Primary 2: Custom Cream Ale
Bottled:

• Brewers Best American Cream Ale
• Random Red Irish Red Ale
• Oatmeal Milk Stout

On Deck: Unknown...
~~Updated Dec 10, 2012~~

neosapien

Recipes 

yes, that light tan beige middle layer is the yeast you want

Doctor_Wily

Recipes 

Thanks neosapien,

I kinda figured as much so I took a lil of it from each thinking it was probably what I wanted. If it doesn't work out I have another 5 gallons to bottle tomorrow and I'll just do it again!

Cheers

__________________
Primary 1: EMPTY
Primary 2: Custom Cream Ale
Bottled:

• Brewers Best American Cream Ale
• Random Red Irish Red Ale
• Oatmeal Milk Stout

On Deck: Unknown...
~~Updated Dec 10, 2012~~

Doctor_Wily

Recipes 

Should I toss my two jars in the fridge now or let em sit at room temp?

__________________
Primary 1: EMPTY
Primary 2: Custom Cream Ale
Bottled:

• Brewers Best American Cream Ale
• Random Red Irish Red Ale
• Oatmeal Milk Stout

On Deck: Unknown...
~~Updated Dec 10, 2012~~

neosapien

Recipes 

if you have your jars of creamy harvested goodness, go ahead and throw them in the fridge until you're ready to make a starter with 'em. you're good to go man. cheers.

OHIOSTEVE

Recipes 

Next time, add water to the fermentor swirl and let set 15-20 minutes....carefully pour from the fermentor into a large jar leaving anything that has settled out, let that jar set maybe 10 minutes and carefully pour that into your final jars again leaving the sediment. You will get cleaner yeast this way.

__________________
BALDGUT BREWS

Calder

Recipes 

I never thought about that. I don't add any water, but pour off enough to fill 3 1-pint mason jars and toss the rest. I might fill a half gallon next time, leave it 15 minutes and then fill my 3 pint jars.

Doctor_Wily

Recipes 

I added the water to the fermenter but didn't let it sit, just poured right back into the jars. I'll let the next one sit for a few before pouring off. How long can I keep washed yeast in the fridge?

__________________
Primary 1: EMPTY
Primary 2: Custom Cream Ale
Bottled:

• Brewers Best American Cream Ale
• Random Red Irish Red Ale
• Oatmeal Milk Stout

On Deck: Unknown...
~~Updated Dec 10, 2012~~

Brew-Jay

Recipes 

Wily, I just washed yeast for the first time too. My process went a lot like yours. From what I understand you can keep this yeast, refrigerated, for quite some time ( like a year). Just make a starter when you need it again.

__________________
“In Vino Veritas, In Cervesio Felicitas” — Anonymous

Doctor_Wily

Recipes 

Thanks for stopping by Brew-Jay, how'd your wash go? I messed up and tossed a good bit of mine but I still have some settling so thats good! lol

__________________
Primary 1: EMPTY
Primary 2: Custom Cream Ale
Bottled:

• Brewers Best American Cream Ale
• Random Red Irish Red Ale
• Oatmeal Milk Stout

On Deck: Unknown...
~~Updated Dec 10, 2012~~