Maybe I'm just cheap but why not make a starter for dry yeast?

[HangLoose]

Ok I really like w-34/70. Its good and easy to use but I'm usually under pitching at two packs per 5.5 - 6 gallon batch. Add to this the fact that I make 11 or 12 gallon batches... that's 4 - 6 packets of yeast at $5.00 a pop! I understand that the dry yeast is just roaring to go right out of the pack but couldn't I save $25 and just make two nice fat starters from one packet of yeast? I have a stir plate and the time. Somebody talk me out of it.

 

[kvess]

I say go for it. I think it will work fine. Usually dry yeast has more cells than liquid yeast. I dont see how you are underpitching with one pack to 5 gallons.

 

[helibrewer]

There are a lot more yeast cells in an 11gr packet of yeast than in a liquid vial. You would need to either split the packet or make a very large starter...The cell density of the starter is important for good yeast growth, a density of about 50 million cells per ml in a 2L starter will give you a growth factor of about 2X....if you pack more cells in, the growth drops way down and kind of defeats the whole purpose of a starter.

EDIT: Dry yeast provides about 14 Billion cells per gram
EDIT2: Here's some good info: http://www.byo.com/stories/article/indices/58-yeast/1253-pitching-by-numbers

 

[MrManifesto]

I say go for it. I think it will work fine. Usually dry yeast has more cells than liquid yeast. I dont see how you are underpitching with one pack to 5 gallons.

depends on whether or not he's rehydrating it and what the OG is. dry yeast sprinkled on wort can lose 50% of its viable cells.

 

[HangLoose]

There are a lot more yeast cells in an 11gr packet of yeast than in a liquid vial. You would need to either split the packet or make a very large starter...The cell density of the starter is important for good yeast growth, a density of about 50 million cells per ml will give you a growth factor of about 2X....if you pack more cells in, the growth drops way down and kind of defeats the whole purpose of a starter.

EDIT: Dry yeast provides about 14 Billion cells per gram

I thought about that. I figured I'd make two 2l starters from 1 packet (or less maybe a 1/4 of a packet) Couldn't imagine throwing yeast way but also couldn't imagine saving half a pack for a few days either.

depends on whether or not he's rehydrating it and what the OG is. dry yeast sprinkled on wort can lose 50% of its viable cells.

I rehydrate.

 

[kh54s10]

What kind of beers are you making that you are under pitching with 2 packs in 5 gallons. It is my understanding that average beers usually are close to nominal with one pack of dry yeast.

I am not familiar with w 34/70 But the difference is usually based on one pack of $3-$4 yeast being adequate vs needing 3 vials of $7 liquid yeast.

If you really require 4-6 packs of dry yeast it might pay to make the starter. Just add up all the numbers/prices of ingredients.

 

[HangLoose]

There are a lot more yeast cells in an 11gr packet of yeast than in a liquid vial. You would need to either split the packet or make a very large starter...The cell density of the starter is important for good yeast growth, a density of about 50 million cells per ml in a 2L starter will give you a growth factor of about 2X....if you pack more cells in, the growth drops way down and kind of defeats the whole purpose of a starter.

EDIT: Dry yeast provides about 14 Billion cells per gram
EDIT2: Here's some good info: http://www.byo.com/stories/article/indices/58-yeast/1253-pitching-by-numbers

reading that (edit#2) now. Thanks for the link. BTW I also oxygenate with o2 and a .5 micron stone. Maybe I'm trying too hard.

 

[helibrewer]

An 11gr pack is about 150 billion cells, you could do (3) 2L starters which would yield about 350-400 billion cells total (without stir plate or O2, so with it would be quite a bit more).

 

[kh54s10]

What kind of beers are you making that you are under pitching with 2 packs in 5 gallons. It is my understanding that average beers usually are close to nominal with one pack of dry yeast.

I am not familiar with w 34/70 But the difference is usually based on one pack of $3-$4 yeast being adequate vs needing 3 vials of $7 liquid yeast.

If you really require 4-6 packs of dry yeast it might pay to make the starter. Just add up all the numbers/prices of ingredients.

 

[HangLoose]

What kind of beers are you making that you are under pitching with 2 packs in 5 gallons. It is my understanding that average beers usually are close to nominal with one pack of dry yeast.

I am not familiar with w 34/70 But the difference is usually based on one pack of $3-$4 yeast being adequate vs needing 3 vials of $7 liquid yeast.

If you really require 4-6 packs of dry yeast it might pay to make the starter. Just add up all the numbers/prices of ingredients.

This would be (2) 5.5 - 6 gallon lagers, pitched and fermented cold (no funny starting warm business for me). Three is probably over kill but one has given me off flavors. Two packs work okay, last time I used 34/70 it was all expired and hadn't been stored under consistently cold conditions so I used three packs and it was awesome. When I have yeast laying around from previous batches and I can pitch a cup or two of slurry it always seems to taste better. Better = awesome

 

[HangLoose]

Mr. Malty says pretty much what others are saying: 2 packs per pail would be more than enough. So I think I'll just stop being cheap and accept the convenience of it all. meh