DAP as a substitute for Wyeast Nutrient?

[thadius856]

So yesterday I headed down into the big bad city to visit an LHBS without reading the reviews. I walk in and the place is beyond dirty. If I walked into a Midas or Jiffy Lube this dirty, I'd be noticeably upset sitting in the lobby. We're talking borderline Hoarders dirty, with terrible shelving and most thing stocked in stained cardboard boxes. Trying not to be a total ass to the seemingly knowledgable owner at the counter, I bought a few things that I could scrub clean once I got home (clamps, barbs, etc).

When I asked if he carried Wyeast Nutrient for my starters, he looked offended. "I don't carry any of their stuff." When I asked why, he said he, "just don't like Wyeast's products." That's all I use. Mmmm, awkward. I asked if he had anything that would be a suitable yeast nutrient for starters.

He hands me a bag of "DAP". I bought it not knowing anything about it. I'm such a sucker. Research tells me it's Di-ammounium Phosphate. Research comes up fuzzy, as almost all results are mead-related.

Will this stuff help my starters? Should I just use it? Should I pick up some Wyeast Nutrient today and just call it a loss?

 

[BigB]

Ld Carlson's nutrient is a urea Diammonium Phospahte blend.

Here's a post I found from Kai a few years back. (Kai is a chemist and very experienced brewer that applies chemistry to brewing).

These salts serve as nitrogen sources for the yeast. Nitrogen is an essential yeast nutrient and may be deficient in juices (wine) or beers with lots of adjuncts (non malt extract sources like rice or sugar). All malt beers don't need them, but I don't think it will hurt. But I don't think it will help either.

Kai

 

[jtejedor]

I was under the impression wyeast nutrient had some trace minerals in it also besides the DAP. IIRC it has some zinc in it, not sure how much but since its a hell of a lot cheaper then servomyces I use it instead. If it were me I would pick up some wyeast nutrient. I actually use a pinch of both in my starters together. Might be overkill but I can usually get the yeast going pretty quick even if the vial is a little old.

 

[Grantman1]

I'm curious what others say about this. I picked up some DAP on a whim last time I was grabbing some brew stuff. I figured it couldn't hurt my starters, but plan on researching first.

 

[BigB]

I was under the impression wyeast nutrient had some trace minerals in it also besides the DAP. IIRC it has some zinc in it.

I believe it does. I love Wyeast's product. I used only LD Carlson's before my LHBS started selling the Wyeast stuff. But the Wyeast, IMHO, is better. The LD stuff works, but I don't think as well as Wyeast.