Starter question

[hairymare]

Can I make a starter using dry yeast? If not, does anybody know why? If yes, why doesn't everybody do it?
Thanks, Yvette

 

[tally350z]

No need. They are specifically made to preserve the yeast, unlike liquid yeasts that loose there viability more quickly. All you need to do is rehydrate and most don't even do that.

 

[jgalati]

If I've got a packet of dry yeast around I just pitch it straight into the fermenter, I don't even bother rehydrating it anymore. I haven't seen a difference in my fermentations between rehydrating dry yeast and just pitching the yeast. However, I have seen a difference with a 2L starter + dry yeast vs. straight up pitching the yeast.

 

[Omahawk]

Bigger beers (something like >1.06 SG) benefit from more yeast than one 11.5 g packet contains. So this requires additional yeast packets or yeast reproduction before pitching.

 

[hairymare]

I am curious and I want to know if we can make a yeast starter with dry yeast. Say, for example I only had one package of dry yeast and a high gravity wort and am a two hour drive or 2 day shipping from a brew store.

 

[hairymare]

also, Thanks for answering but I am a naturally curious person and I also would like to know why not if its not possible. I wonder? Wonder? Wonder?

 

[TangoHotel]

I would imagine you just would make a batch of starter wort with a little DME, rehydrate, and pitch. Do 1/3 cup of pale DME to a pint of water. Try it and let us know how it works out.

 

[Polboy]

Sure you can, its just easier and cheaper (for most people) to buy 2nd pack of yeast instead of dme for starter

 

[TangoHotel]

I have two rules: NEVER stick your hand in boiling wort and ALWAYS have DME on hand for starters. Everytime I use dry yeast I will rehydrate it. Dry yeast is cheap so it makes sense just to get a second pack. In lieu of driving 2 hours though, you can definitely use the starter method to up your cell counts.

As for the first rule, I almost did this to chase a thermometer probe during a brew day. I'm glad I stopped myself before fully committing to scalding hot third degree burns.

 

[hairymare]

I have been cruising around and found this, kind of answers the question. It's been done but not desirable. Thanks all

Quote:
Originally Posted by DaksBrew
Is it okay to use a yeast starter with dry yeast? Or even possible?
It's certainly possible, but not usually desirable. White/Zainasheff flat out say "no" in their yeast book, arguing depletion of cell reserves. For me, it's mostly a matter of economics - making the starter costs nearly as much as an extra satchel of yeast. If you wash/re-use dried yeast, you would, of course, treat it just like any liquid yeast slurry after the initial pitch. But again, there is the question of whether washing dry yeast makes economic sense.