Using yeast as yeast nutrient

[TheWeeb]

Hello,

I am still new to this, but read this on the Probrewer forum:

"Using yeast as yeast nutrient - Happy healthy yeast already has all the nutrients it needs, so on a brew day instead of using a commercial yeast nutrient you can pull some yeast (I use 100ml/BBL), and add it to the boil. The cell walls will break down and the nutrients will be added to your wort."

Is this also a common and safe practice for the homebrewer? Does it really help in getting the yeast off to a good start? How much "used" yeast should be added for a 5 gal. batch?

Thanks!

 

[david_42]

Yes, yes, yes, 10-20 ml of slurry.

 

[Brew-boy]

There is a podcast from the Brewing Network where Chris White from white labs had said there is not much nutrient from dead yeast.

 

[Rundownhouse]

Did he say there isn't much from yeast that have died and then been collected, or that yeast, living or dead, isn't a good nutrient source? Subtle but important difference, I think.