I picked up a couple expired vials of White Labs WLP026 on clearance at the LHBS, but I'm not planning to use them for months, at least. Really I bought them because I'm very interested in yeast culturing and I'd like to see if I can practice with this strain.
It was suggested in this thread that I just leave the vials alone, and culture them shortly before I plan to actually use them.
But already the yeast in the vials has a mottled look to it, some light creamy, some darker creamy colored. No browns or blacks yet. It is about 5 months old.
I understand that if I make a starter, wash, and re-store, I'm running the risk of contamination. However, I am very, very clean and it seems that this would be better for the colony than just letting it continue to age.
I use erlenmeyer flasks and a stir plate for my starters. I do not have an oxygenation setup. Will propagating multiple starters without forced oxygenation make weak yeast? Thoughts otherwise?
It was suggested in this thread that I just leave the vials alone, and culture them shortly before I plan to actually use them.
But already the yeast in the vials has a mottled look to it, some light creamy, some darker creamy colored. No browns or blacks yet. It is about 5 months old.
I understand that if I make a starter, wash, and re-store, I'm running the risk of contamination. However, I am very, very clean and it seems that this would be better for the colony than just letting it continue to age.
I use erlenmeyer flasks and a stir plate for my starters. I do not have an oxygenation setup. Will propagating multiple starters without forced oxygenation make weak yeast? Thoughts otherwise?