Splitting a tube of yeast

[J_Thadeus_Toad]

I was wondering can you portion out and split a tube of white labs yeast? basically planning on making 3 1-gal batches that use the same yeast.

any help would be great thanks.

 

[bdh]

I used to do this when I started and was doing 2.5G batches. I'd just spray down the outside of the yeast tube with sanitizer before opening it and then pour half of the yeast into another sterilized tube - never had any problems.

 

[jagec]

No problem at all. There is enough yeast in those tubes to pitch into 5 gallons of wort (although lots of people recommend making a starter to bump those numbers up a bit), so 3 gallons is not an issue as long as you maintain proper sanitation.

Are you going to make all 3 gallons at one time, or over several days/weeks?

 

[J_Thadeus_Toad]

We are making the three batches at the same time. thanks

 

[DoubleAught]

I would use http://www.mrmalty.com/calc/calc.html just to be safe. You wouldn't want to under pitch.

 

[peacenwaves]

I was wondering the same thing, only I want to split a tube between 3 6 gallon batches... Can I make 3 starters from one tube of yeast to do this? Im tired of paying 7 bucks a batch in just yeast, and it ales me to use dry packs lol....

If i split the tube and make three seperate starters, how long could I leave them in the fridge for? I would prob brew these batches over the course of two weeks or so....

Or should I just split the tube into 3 sterile viles like mentioned earlier, put them in the fridge, and make the starters as needed from those??

sorry not trying to hijack your thread, just figured i would ask here before starting a new one

 

[jagec]

I was wondering the same thing, only I want to split a tube between 3 6 gallon batches... Can I make 3 starters from one tube of yeast to do this? Im tired of paying 7 bucks a batch in just yeast, and it ales me to use dry packs lol....

If i split the tube and make three seperate starters, how long could I leave them in the fridge for? I would prob brew these batches over the course of two weeks or so....

Or should I just split the tube into 3 sterile viles like mentioned earlier, put them in the fridge, and make the starters as needed from those??

sorry not trying to hijack your thread, just figured i would ask here before starting a new one

If you make a starter (~1L stirplate per batch would probably be about right, check Mr. Malty) you'll be OK.

You're better off pitching active starters, so if you're going to keep part of the vial for later, split it first and keep the sterile vials in the fridge, growing up each starter the night before brew day.

 

[biochemedic]

If you make a starter (~1L stirplate per batch would probably be about right, check Mr. Malty) you'll be OK.

You're better off pitching active starters, so if you're going to keep part of the vial for later, split it first and keep the sterile vials in the fridge, growing up each starter the night before brew day.

What you should probably do is make one starter, then propogate it; ie, decant your spent starter wort, then pour off half the yeast into another container. Make a new starter with each of the half portions. You can use one for your first batch, then once the second starter is finished, you can store it in the refrigerator until you're ready to make your next batch. When it's time to brew again, pull out the refrigerated portion, and allow it to warm up, then again split it and make two more new starters.

Of course you can always wash and harvest yeast from your first batch too...