Can you use a wyeast Smack Pack in 5.5 or 6 gallon wort?

[eluterio]

Im in the process of brewing an Amber Ale this weekend. SG max 1.053 74% eff. most efficiency Ive been able to get. If things go well it might be higher.

Ive been reading much about yeast washing, yeast starters, pitch rate but im not comfortable just yet to try it.

So, I want to start increasing my batch size from 5 gallons to 5.5 gallons. Since Im not making a starter would one wyeast smack pack be enough for 5.5 to 6 gallons of wort?

I read the mrmalty.com site and understand the pitch rate and amount of yeast cells ........ Again im not ready to make a starter just yet but want to increase the size of wort.

I would like to know the pros and cons if anyone more experienced then me has done this.

 

[Darwin18]

How difficult is it to make a starter? You measure out some DME, a volume of liquid, boil for a few minutes, cool, and then pitch your yeast. The whole process (minus cooling) takes 10 minutes. It's not rocket science.

 

[Rhumbline]

To answer your question, yes.

I do it regularly with 5.5 gal batches as long as they are under 1.065, never had a problem yet.

 

[eluterio]

I probably will be doing a yeast starter sooner than later but this question might also explain reasons why past beer had off flavors. My brew buddy has been making larger amounts 6 gallons and pitching 1 smack pack. In most cases it was SG was roughly 1.065.

After becoming educated in beer making reason for off flavors could be because of over work yeast. I guess I should have included this part in my question but I sometimes hate reading long question and would rather get a direct answer.

 

[DuckiesRevenge]

Another option that you have is that you can make a starter of sorts with the wort you make for the beer. I've seen threads where folks will add only a couple of gallons of wort to their primary, pitch the yeast and in 12 hrs or so, add the rest. It's like making a 2 gallon starter to pitch your yeast with but with the wort you already made.

I know there are probably issues with oxidizing our infection maybe, but I think there people who discuss those issue. If I find the thread I'll post it.

 

[eluterio]

Another option that you have is that you can make a starter of sorts with the wort you make for the beer. I've seen threads where folks will add only a couple of gallons of wort to their primary, pitch the yeast and in 12 hrs or so, add the rest. It's like making a 2 gallon starter to pitch your yeast with but with the wort you already made.

I know there are probably issues with oxidizing our infection maybe, but I think there people who discuss those issue. If I find the thread I'll post it.

Thanks for the replies and I like this thought. Im going to look into it here in a few. Ive only been doing all grain in 3 batches and have been slightly increasing my efficiency with each batch.

 

[messiah]

You will be fine at that gravity. If you go higher, what I like to do is boil a liter of water, add 1/3 cup DME, put the lid on, boil VERY GENTLY 10 more minutes, force chill, add yeast, keep swirrling it, and pitch with that. By using the pot I boiled in, and keeping the lid on, I don't have to worry about contamination. I do this at the start of the brew day, and I get some pretty good results. It might be better to do it the night before, but I never made anything above 1.078.

 

[eluterio]

You will be fine at that gravity. If you go higher, what I like to do is boil a liter of water, add 1/3 cup DME, put the lid on, boil VERY GENTLY 10 more minutes, force chill, add yeast, keep swirrling it, and pitch with that. By using the pot I boiled in, and keeping the lid on, I don't have to worry about contamination. I do this at the start of the brew day, and I get some pretty good results. It might be better to do it the night before, but I never made anything above 1.078.

From all ive been reading its a bit more. I can do this the morning of exciting.

 

[Battles4Seattle]

I brewed for years before reading on HBT with using just one pack of yeast and it made beer fine.

That said, starters are extremely easy, do one one and you'll see. 2 cups water and 1/2 DME, bring to boil, cool and pinch.

If you don't want to do a starter just pinch rehydrated dry yeast and don't worry at all.