Reusing Harvested Yeast

[ricshayne]

couple quick questions here.
First, I am new to harvesting so ws just wondering, i have about 1/8" of yeast at the bottom of a Ball pint jar, is that a normal amount to have harvested per jar?

Second, should i just make a 1L starter from that and will it be enough, or should I combine it with another jar to make a 1L starter or use the one jar in a 2L starter?

 

[poptarts]

packed yeast ml * 2b ~ cell count as a super fast and loose guess

 

[photobru]

Yes, that sounds about right.

Try this for determining your starter size.

 

[F_R_O_G]

calculating harvested yeast is like counting stars. it can't be done by sight.

 

[eadavis80]

In my experience, if the yeast is less than 2-3 weeks old, a 1L starter should be fine. If it's a month or more, I'd go 2L or do a 1L and then step up another liter. I've had plenty of success with this method. I have actually e-mailed both WYeast and NB about yeast calculators from sites like Mr. Malty and while many on here swear by them, both of those companies had reservations about those. That being said, most of what I've read indicates it's better to overpitch than underpitch.