Does yeast need potassium during growth, or during anaerobic fermentation, or both? Or worse, do they want it as soon as possible when pitched?
I ask because the popular BOMM mead recipe suggests adding potassium carbonate at pitch to provide potassium and buffering, and I'm thinking about using potassium hydroxide instead.
I can't add it all an once because it would raise the pH too much. Do the yeast need their potassium right away? My plan is to finish adding KOH by the time I finish adding nutrients.
Edit: potential benefits are: a bottle of 4M (around 22%) solution will last forever, and the amount that fits in a popular syringe size is exactly the amount I'll need for a bucket-sized batch (20-30 mL). It'll dissolve immediately and won't need measurement except drawing it into in the syringe. Risk management: 22% KOH will burn skin and eyes, so I will wash the outside of the syringe immediately after filling it, and I will use eye protection at all times.
I ask because the popular BOMM mead recipe suggests adding potassium carbonate at pitch to provide potassium and buffering, and I'm thinking about using potassium hydroxide instead.
I can't add it all an once because it would raise the pH too much. Do the yeast need their potassium right away? My plan is to finish adding KOH by the time I finish adding nutrients.
Edit: potential benefits are: a bottle of 4M (around 22%) solution will last forever, and the amount that fits in a popular syringe size is exactly the amount I'll need for a bucket-sized batch (20-30 mL). It'll dissolve immediately and won't need measurement except drawing it into in the syringe. Risk management: 22% KOH will burn skin and eyes, so I will wash the outside of the syringe immediately after filling it, and I will use eye protection at all times.
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