Can wort sit overnight before pitching yeast?

[rjolin01]

This may be a newbie question but can I let my cooled wort sit in a fermenter for about 10 hours before I aerate and pitch yeast?

I started a brew that's taking little longer than expected and I will be cutting it close to having to leave for work. I plan on aerating and pitching after work.

 

[morbster]

Yes, that's fine. It's not uncommon to have the wort cool on its own before pitching yeast.

Make sure your sanitation is good and you'll have no issues.

 

[jamina1]

I've done this with almost all my batches after struggling with the ice-bath method (I didn't own a chiller at the time). My very first batch was only a 1-gallon batch but it seemed like it took forever and a whole bunch of ice to get it anywhere near pitching temp, and even then I think I pitched too hot.

Since then, I either let the kettle sit overnight on the stove (I seal the lid with saran wrap to prevent too much oxidation or contamination) or put it into a sanitized container (this is also known as no-chill) until it's cool.

Your beer will be fine! To be honest, the first batch I made was awful even though it was cooled. The others have been markedly better even though they were no-chill.

 

[MaryB]

Did it 2 days ago, brewed on Wed and didn't pitch the yeast until 26 hours later. I often cool to 75 degrees then into the fermenting chamber to cool to 64 over night then I pitch.