The Catalyst - Dry Hopping, Yeast Starters, & Catching Yeast

[Quadrider]

I'm now on my second batch using the catalyst and absolutely love it. Currently 1 week into a slow, Long primary of a Pliny clone (Extract). The kit recommended to use a starter, but I've never done one before, and pitched the US-05 right after cool / topoff. For future batches, I'd like to start catching / harvesting yeast, and using yeast starters on my Catalyst and had a few questions:

1) I've noticed that a significant amount of trub builds up during primary. Picture below shows what my catalyst looks like 1/2-1 hour after fill. In the past, I've pitched my yeast immediately post boil after chill & topoff... and have left the 32 oz mason jar alone throughout the entire primary. This causes multiple trub dumps after primary. To alleviate this problem, Would you recommend letting the trub settle after topoff and before initial yeast pitching? If so, how long? 24-48 hours? If not, should I do multiple trub dumps as needed during primary fermentation?

2) What would the recommended process be for a yeast starter on the catalyst? And when would you use the starter? Post boil water topoff, wait 24 hours for 1st trub dump, then pitch the yeast starter? Or use the yeast starter right away during post boil fill, then opening the valve to activate the yeast starter after water topoff? Also do I still pitch the dry yeast that came with the kit even if I am using a starter?

3) Even During secondary, I've noticed a significant amount of trub buildup.... especially when dry hopping. How would you recommend I collect yeast while dry hopping during secondary? Use muslin bags or paint strainer bags to prevent residual hop buildup in the mason jar? I'd like to be able to dry hop openly and still catch my yeast during secondary if at all possible

Thanks for the help guys! Please excuse my ignorance & long Post!!

 

[cegan09]

Yeast starters should be the same as any other fermentation vessel. Get them going before you brew, at least a day. Dump onto the chilled wort and let it go.

There's been a bunch of study that says trub in primary fermentation is a good thing. I wouldn't worry about it much. If you want to harvest yeast you can still do so. Let the fermentation run it's course. Doing so gives the trub time to compact at the bottom. After fermentation is done pull out the trub. The yeast will be in their own layer on top. So just start saving when you get to the yeast layer. Wash it if you think it's got too much trub mixed in.

 

[DrFun]

I also have a Catalyst, but do BIAB not extract.

I let mine sit for two weeks before I dump the trub, but I also transfer through a strainer to try to filter/aerate a little. I would try to keep the trub dumping to a minimum. It will settle and compact, the stuff in there after an hour or so may still be suspended in good wort.

If using a starter I do not believe you need to still pitch the dry yeast. That's just double pitching and seem like overkill.

I would harvest yeast before dry hopping.

All that being said, I am only on my second batch in the Catalyst. And just back into homebrewing after a few years off.