dry yeast pitching rates

[brewbama]

So here is my rookie comment/question. Can you use the dry yeast and then save the slurry to make a starter for future purposes?

Yes you can. A LOT of brewers recycle. [emoji3534]

 

[madscientist451]

Yes, I've done it many times, but I usually use liquid yeast because there are more choices and I like trying different yeasts.

 

[Stephen Perry]

Yes you can. A LOT of brewers recycle. [emoji3534]

Awesome, sorry but being newer I wasn't sure. I always hear everyone using liquid yeast, making a starter, then saving that slurry but never heard of anyone doing it with dry yeast

 

[madscientist451]

I've heard that saving yeast doesn't work as well with dry yeast, but I've been doing it for years without any problems. Your results may vary......

 

[brewbama]

I've heard that saving yeast doesn't work as well with dry yeast, but I've been doing it for years without any problems. Your results may vary......

The official position is:

“There is a risk of generating variants after a few generations that may result in a change of the aromatic profile of the beer. The maximum number of generations is highly dependent of the brewery and the process and should be evaluated based on experiences and consistency of the product.”

Having said that, many, many brewers recycle for multiple generations without issue.

 

[brewbama]

... I'm not seeing the cost savings.

If you got into homebrewing to save money you may want to reconsider.

 

[twd000]

If you got into homebrewing to save money you may want to reconsider.

I was referring to the common wisdom repeated here and elsewhere regarding liquid vs. dry yeasts. Everyone says "dry yeast is cheap, just buy another package instead of making a starter".

If one is interested in saving money by homebrewing, it is certainly possible.

I have a single-vessel keggle BIAB system on a surplus rolling cart in my garage. No HLT, no pumps, no conical fermentor, no glycol chiller, no stir plate. I ferment and serve from the same corny kegs that I have had for 10 years.

Re-pitching yeast can save ~1/3 of the cost of a cost of ingredients for a batch.

 

[brewbama]

I agree process > equipment. However, fermenting with a robust pitch of dry yeast is a great way to ensure a fast start and finish without potential off flavors and smells due to sluggish first pitch and you still save money per batch over liquid yeast. Even more savings can be realized if you harvest yeast. I mean we’re talking an additional ~ $3 here.

Labelpeeler prices:

WLp001 $6.84
DME (100 grams) ~ .94 (more for a bigger starter or multi step starter)
Shipping $7.85

Add more for cold pack, bubble wrap, etc.

Total = $15.63

— OR —

2 packs of US-05 $5.68 ($2.84 each)
Shipping: free

No cold pack, bubble wrap, etc. required.

Total = $5.68

Savings per batch by using 2 packs of dry yeast vs 1 tube of Wlp001 and making a starter = $9.95

 

[twd000]

wow that's a great deal on the S-05