Thoughts on putting yeast in fermenter first then pouring wort on top of it

[CamG]

Hi,
I was just wondering if putting the Yeast in the fermenter first and then pouring the wort on top of it to mix it in would be a good idea.

I know some people stir the wort after pitching. I don't, I just pour it on top and put the lid on.

What do you think ?

CamG

 

[friarsmith]

The point you add the yeast (assuming the wort is chilled to pitching temp) is probably of less importance than how much you oxygenate the wort.

I you took a poll on HBT, you'd probably find most folks 1) rack chilled wort to the fermenter, 2) oxygenate it by shaking several minutes or inserting an oxygen stone for 30-60 secs, 3) add yeast and maybe then stir/shake a little to be sure the yeast disperses into the wort.

 

[kirblator]

I wouldn't worry about stirring the yeast after it is pitched. Whether you agitate the yeast or not shouldn't make a difference as long as the wort is aerated prior to pitching. That being said, traditionally the beer is not agitated after the yeast is pitched. Adding the wort on top of the yeast would be the same as stirring after pitching in my mind. It shouldn't be harmful to the yeast as long as the wort added is at the temperature you want ferment at. Splitting a batch and pitching the yeast in different ways may be an interesting experiment, but I would expect the differences (if any) to be too small to detect between batches.

 

[JimEb]

I always think about doing this whenever I'm cleaning up after a brew session and see I forgot to pitch the yeast and it's still sitting on the counter. Doh!

The reason I don't is because prior to transferring my wort, my carboy is fully foamed up and saturated in StarSan. I figure I need to dilute that down with the wort and give the yeast a fighting chance. I can't imagine that StarSan somehow will only kill 'bad' things, yet not kill 'good' yeast when exposed in those concentrations.

 

[danerelj]

I've always spread the yeast on top and i have done both stir and let it settle. I've had Similar results both times so i can't personally say it would affect it too much (as long as the wort isn't too hot for the yeast)

 

[jimmytango]

This is actually the way I thought you were supposed to do it! I put the yeast in the bucket and open the valve to my brew pot and let the wort drop from a meter or so to create a big mix of foam and help oxygenate the mix.

 

[CamG]

The reason I don't is because prior to transferring my wort, my carboy is fully foamed up and saturated in StarSan.

Good point. Never thought about that

 

[foam_top]

The reason I don't is because prior to transferring my wort, my carboy is fully foamed up and saturated in StarSan. I figure I need to dilute that down with the wort and give the yeast a fighting chance. I can't imagine that StarSan somehow will only kill 'bad' things, yet not kill 'good' yeast when exposed in those concentrations.

I've considered that same thing and avoid mixing yeast directly with starsan. I don't have the knowledge to prove either way but we know sanitizer eliminates microbes and that's what yeast is.

 

[Konadog]

I use to add it while I was filling the carboy, then once I started using O2, I just dump it in when I'm done. I really don't think it matters much, once the yeast starts doing it's thing, it stirs itself.

 

[dstockwell]

Whether you agitate the yeast or not shouldn't make a difference as long as the wort is aerated prior to pitching. That being said, traditionally the beer is not agitated after the yeast is pitched.

Oh boy, I'm totally confused now. I use a 4G square bucket and have always poured the wort, pitched, beat that lid on, and then shake and shake. Is this completely wrong?

Taking the lid off is no fun whatsoever, on once, off once..

 

[PADave]

Oh boy, I'm totally confused now. I use a 4G square bucket and have always poured the wort, pitched, beat that lid on, and then shake and shake. Is this completely wrong?

Taking the lid off is no fun whatsoever, on once, off once..

That's what I sometimes do. Never had a problem.

 

[BobTheBrewer]

I use to add it while I was filling the carboy, then once I started using O2, I just dump it in when I'm done. I really don't think it matters much, once the yeast starts doing it's thing, it stirs itself.

What about getting a protective CO2 layer on top of the wort earlier by pitching during transfer?

 

[MaxStout]

Pitching during transfer only advances the yeast's timeline by a few minutes. That protective CO2 layer you're hoping for isn't going to materialize until much later--at least hours or a day or so, when active fermentation is ongoing.

I don't see the advantage here.

 

[redrocker652002]

I have never put the yeast in first simply, as others have stated, my bucket usually has a bit of starsan at the bottom. I try and tip the bucket so that most of it runs out while I am chilling it down, but ultimately there is some still at the bottom. I don't even shake or do anything to the wort prior to it going into the bucket. My spigot on my pot sits high enough from the bucket that I just open the valve and let it go. Now, with that said, the Grainfather has a pump so I guess there is less oxygen being introduced during the transfer to the bucket so I am going to have to add that step of giving it a quick shake I guess. Or hold the hose from the grainfather higher so it kinda splashes into the bucket to do what the spigot used to. Either way, I have never put the yeast in first. Great discussion though

 

[odie]

I don't care...sprinkle it, pour it, mix it, shake it, stir it, dump on top of it, pitch on old yeast cake, pitch yeast cake into it...

It makes beer. I've noticed no different in the end product.

Much more things of importance to worry about.

 

[FloppyKnockers]

Same as others - I don't put it in first because I don't know how well it plays with sanitizer. I usually wait until there's a bit of wort in there, then pitch the yeast. I use the stream of wort to break up any little rafts.