Noobie Yeast Question!

[leeford337]

As much as I have been searching, I haven't been able to find a nice simple answer. I'm brewing one gallon of Raspberry mead with Lalvin D-47. How much of this stuff do I use? Says for 1-5 gallons on the packet. Can I just use the entire packet? Each packet is 5 grams or .176 ounces. Also, do I need to do the mixing with water thing first?

Thanks!

 

[taoisilent]

Rarely is there a nice, simple answer

I'd use 1/3 to 1/5 of the packet. I would add the yeast at the end, when all is mixed together in your fermenter.

 

[leeford337]

Awesome, thanks for the reply! Should I just dump the 1/3 to 1/5 of it in to my carboy or dilute with water first like the instructions on the packet says?

Thanks!

 

[IJesusChrist]

It doesn't really matter... too little is the real problem. Anything from 1/4 to the whole packet will have same results.

and its ok to add it to water first... not always necessary

 

[MarshmallowBlue]

Rehydrating the yeast per the packet instructions should reduce lag times, but I've never had an issue form pitching dry. I usually pitch half the pack for 1 Gallon batches and the whole pack for anything more.

 

[noblesquirrel]

The question of whether to rehydrate boggles my mind. If it is known to improve the quality, reduce lag times, etc., why wouldn't you do it? Lots of things aren't "necessary," but it takes roughly the same amount of time to make good mead that is ready to drink sooner as it does to make crappy mead or decent mead that takes forever to become drinkable. If you rehydrate first, by the time you have the must ready, you can just pitch it in and go.

 

[On-target]

Rehydrating takes about 15 minutes which can be done while you are mixing the rest of your ingredients. It really only takes 2 minutes, the rest of the time is just waiting for the yeast to do its thing.

 

[bernardsmith]

I don't know what the benefit of using only a portion of a single packet is. The cost is that the next time you come to use the yeast the quality of the yeast will have deteriorated to the point that it will not ferment your next batch without problems. For the sake about a $1.50?

 

[biochemedic]

Adding the whole thing will actually approach a proper pitch rate... and its near impossible to over pitch... add the whole thing...

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[Yooper]

Adding the whole thing will actually approach a proper pitch rate... and its near impossible to over pitch... add the whole thing...

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Home Brew mobile app

Right. Since the pitch rate is "from 1-6 gallons", and you can't really save a 1/2 packet as it goes bad quickly when opened- just use the whole package. You can't use too much- any excess will just fall out (but it's not an excess), but you certainly can use too little.

Since a packet is like 6 grams- use the whole darn thing!

 

[leeford337]

Thanks guys! I just stuck the whole thing in. Next time I'll probably re-hydrate. Here's what I got if anyone's curious Raspberry mead! As well as my Game of Thrones inspired Label!