When to rehydrate dry yeast?

mullimat · 02-23-2008, 02:46 AM

I have been reading a lot about how the liquid yeast packs need to be set out a few hours to warm up and then i think you're supposed to activate them and let them sit for a few hours more before pitching? Maybe i have it wrong. Anyways, i'm about to brew my first time tomorrow and i will be using nottingham yeast. I know this needs to be rehydrated so when would i do that? Will it be done a few hours before i pitch it (like should i rehydrate it tonight?) or when?

malkore · 02-23-2008, 02:59 AM

do it about 15 - 30 minutes before you pitch.

dry yeast is real simple. its best to boil a cup of water, then cool it with some tinfoil over the top (to keep it sanitary). when the water's 70-80F, dump in the yeast and just lightly stir it in so its all wet. then let it chill a bit.

Now, since its your first brew, remember you've got to cool the wort down to 70-75F too, and that can take a little while.

its perfectly fine to wait on the yeast until you get the wort cool. then just keep the bucket lid on, or the carboy cap/bung in place while the yeast hydrates.

Right before you pitch the yeast, stir it up a little (with a sanitized spoon) and that'll make it really easy to pour. no yeast sludge at the bottom.

**AFAJ Brew Guy** · 02-23-2008, 03:00 AM

I usually just warm up about a cup of spring water on the stove to about 90, poor that into a sanitized measuring on top of the yeast while I am cooling my wort. Just cover with some aluminum foil. When I have everything in primary I just poor her in!

Edit: Yeah like malkore said!

mullimat · 02-23-2008, 03:06 AM

Cool! Thanks for the info! I can't wait to start brewing.

MikeFlynn74 · 02-23-2008, 03:22 AM

Waste of time- IMO

**mrk305** · 02-23-2008, 03:37 AM

The directions on the packet from Nottingham say to hydrate, so who am I to argue.................

I don't think 15 minutes or an hour makes any difference. I boil my hydrating water when I start heating my mash water and I add my yeast to the glass of water sometime after the boil has started. I put all my stuff on a TV tray in order of additions so I don't forget to add anything. I have almost forgot to add the yeast a couple times. (yeah, I drink when I brew)