Test tubes / Vial recommendation

[MX1]

SO, the idea is to, each time I make a starter, pull off a few vials of yeast and save it for future brews. Using the starter yeast should give me a good healthy source, and I am only looking to stretch it out maybe 3 or 4 vials per starter.

So I am trying to figure out the best vial / test tube to use, I would like one that I could sanitize by steaming or pressure-cooking.
Anyone got something they use that fits the bill?
I currently do not have any empty WL or Wyeast vials.

Thanks

T

 

[Mark_tries_brewing]

I don't know of anything that you could steam or put in pressure cooker but have been looking at some vials that come sanitary for the similar purpose of harvesting dregs from commercial sours. Here's the link http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0018MQ9TK/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[Gus_13]

I don't know of anything that you could steam or put in pressure cooker but have been looking at some vials that come sanitary for the similar purpose of harvesting dregs from commercial sours. Here's the link http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0018MQ9TK/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Thanks for this. Should help me with having to buy so many bags of 3711. I'll just keep a few vials and grow them up.

 

[WoodlandBrew]

Centrifuge Tubes are nice for saving yeast. I like the ones with a skirt. They stand on their own making it easier to store them without a rack. I can't see from the picture if those ones have a skirt.

 

[BlackGoat]

I believe (someone can correct me if wrong) that if they say they are safe for use in an autoclave, they will be fine for pressure cookers. Also, if you aren't using the test tubes for slants, why not just use 1/2 pint jars? They are cheap and easily available.

 

[MX1]

for me, the jars take up room I dont have in my fridge

 

[BraneDead]

This is what you're looking for:

http://www.teachersource.com/product/preforms-and-caps/chemistry

It's the same thing as a White Labs vial. They are the beginnings of a 2l soda bottle (which then gets melted and expanded). PERFECT and cheap for yeast.

 

[Gus_13]

I ended up ordering this stuff today.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0018MQ9TK/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KI2EQ0K/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00191IUOW/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[dinnerstick]

I ended up ordering this stuff today.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0018MQ9TK/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

loads of us who work in bio labs (like me) use those 50ml tubes for almost everything. love em. lab geeks call them 'falcon tubes' btw. i take home clean-ish used ones if they only held water or growth media. they are totally autoclave-able, and the ones with skirts are great as they stand up. they are nicely reusable. they will hold a tiny bit of pressure so do be careful as your yeast can carbonate a bit in the tube, but you can screw the lid on loosely and they vent a tiny bit. they are great for stepping up yeast cultures, say from 5 ml to 25 ml, if you are starting from a glycerol stock or single colony (if you have a shaker). the only thing i would add is that the first time you use them they impart a plastic flavor/smell. i had a friend who used to tear open a pack of them and pour 50 ml tequila shots, the first one always tasted like chemical. a quick rinse takes care of that.

 

[podz]

You can just make a starter and then split it into 50 vials and put them into your freezer. Each time you want to make a starter, just take a vial out of the freezer. It doesn't really get more simple than this.