Can you over-energize the yeast?

[1OldJarhead]

I was disappointed with my dry yeast performance so I'm prepped with three things: liquid yeast in the smack-pack; Wyeast nutrient to stoke the wort, and an oxygen diffusing stone. Is that going over the top?

 

[Whisky River]

If you’re looking to get better performance from your liquid yeast than you get from dry yeast I think at the very least you’re going to have to make a starter.

 

[fluketamer]

yeah two packs or a starter.

unless the wort is low gravity then you may get away with 1 pack .

but o2 and yeast nutrient def wont hurt

 

[Bramling Cross]

Depending upon the strain, dry yeast can be a bit slow to fire up on the first pitch. There's nothing wrong with that, provided it's making nice beer. It's always better on the second pitch, but I think we might be getting ahead of ourselves here.

Can you tell us more about your beer and yeast? Style, brewing method, gravity, and yeast strains will be very helpful--don't worry about being judged, this is a chill place.

Regarding the liquid yeast, nutrient, and O2, that's all good stuff. Are you using O2 from a cylinder, or air pumped through a stone?

Above all else, don't let yourself get too frustrated. There's a learning curve and while it may sometimes not seem like it, you will get over it.

 

[hottpeper13]

Sounds like you have the gear to make a good starter. I've left my stir plate in the drawer in exchange for the O2 stone. I add it for a couple seconds and then do the shaken not stirred method and so far everything is the same.