Is yeast washing really helping???

[Grimstad13]

I have timed my brews to pitch on yeast cake a couple of times now, with great results. I would like to save the yeast for the first time in jars for a later date. Almost everything I have read recommends washing, eliminating the trub and dead yeast cells before saving the viable cells. However, I have come across this post which seems to say I would be wasting huge amounts of viable yeast cells by following this accepted process. I would like to know any thoughts you all might have on this subject. I really do value all the hard work and info. everyone of you shares here on HBT. The link is http://woodlandbrew.blogspot.com/2012/12/yeast-washing-exposed.html Please let me know your thoughts, Thanks

 

[insanim8er]

I've washed and reused yeast with absolute success. You're making a starter before pitching it, so it's fine to lose some. You're also eliminating all the stuff that could potentially cause off flavors...

People make slants with a much lesser count of yeast to make starters. As long as you're stepping it up the right pitch rate, who cares if you of lose some. That's my 2¢

 

[Grimstad13]

I was particularly intrigued by the fact that there were more bacterial cells found in the saved portion of washed yeast than in the slurry that is discarded.

 

[Pommy]

An interesting article. Still, if you keep 1% of the yeast you will have at most 1% of the trub. Any bacteria, although always present, is a measure of fault in the process. When you step up the yeast count to the required pitch you will have no more trub than in the original, that is why I would always wash and build a starter rather than pitch onto a cake.

 

[djt17]

Just pour the yeast cake in sanitized jar, fridge, then pitch proper amount of slurry when needed. Has worked well for me for 2 yrs now.

 

[captainkirk83]

Just pour the yeast cake in sanitized jar, fridge, then pitch proper amount of slurry when needed. Has worked well for me for 2 yrs now.

How long do you keep yeast in jar? Days, weeks?

 

[insanim8er]

How long do you keep yeast in jar? Days, weeks?

It's widely debated, but few weeks to months. Some say no more than 6mo some say they've gone a year.

If you want longer term storage do a slant or learn how to freeze the yeast.

 

[djt17]

How long do you keep yeast in jar? Days, weeks?

I time my brewing so that the yeast is only 1 - 2 wks old.