Wyeast activator storage

[luizffgarcia]

Guys, i got myself a Wyeast i want to try, but since i brew 1 gallon batches i was thinking of opening the package, dividing it in 4 jugs, using one and storing the others in the fridge.

The thing is this package comes with an activator thing inside so i don't know if storing straight after opening would work.

Could you help me out with some advice here? I always overbuild starters and store my yeast but i have never tried storing them straight out of the package by splitting the content.

Thanks

 

[shawnbou]

The inner bag is supposed to just be the nutrients that get the yeast going, so you could probably just split the yeast in the liquid medium and add your own nutrients later.

Seems like a lot of work to sterilize (not just sanitize) containers and split a few milliliters of liquid yeast evenly. Why not just make a starter with the whole pack and then split the starter 4 ways? I've used starters refrigerated for up to 2 weeks before with no problems.

 

[luizffgarcia]

The inner bag is supposed to just be the nutrients that get the yeast going, so you could probably just split the yeast in the liquid medium and add your own nutrients later.

Seems like a lot of work to sterilize (not just sanitize) containers and split a few milliliters of liquid yeast evenly. Why not just make a starter with the whole pack and then split the starter 4 ways? I've used starters refrigerated for up to 2 weeks before with no problems.

I just fear this is too much yeast for a 1 liter starter which is my biggest vessel. I would kill more cells than promote growth right?

 

[JimRausch]

I just fear this is too much yeast for a 1 liter starter which is my biggest vessel. I would kill more cells than promote growth right?

I'm not sure I understand your concern here. What would kill the yeast? A 1liter starter is perfect with the WY packs.

 

[luizffgarcia]

I'm not sure I understand your concern here. What would kill the yeast? A 1liter starter is perfect with the WY packs.

I thought it would be too small since the package itself is good for a 5 gallon! Sorry i am a new brewer so still learning...

 

[kh54s10]

What size batch are you brewing? A pack is what they say will ferment a 5 gallon batch. Most consider that seriously underpitching, thus making starters. A brand new smack pack contains 100 billion cells, they start dying off right away, so an older pack will require a larger starter. An average 5 gallon batch really needs 200 billion cells or more.

Look at these sites for information on making starters:
http://www.yeastcalculator.com/
http://www.mrmalty.com/calc/calc.html
http://www.brewersfriend.com/yeast-pitch-rate-and-starter-calculator/

 

[luizffgarcia]

What size batch are you brewing? A pack is what they say will ferment a 5 gallon batch. Most consider that seriously underpitching, thus making starters. A brand new smack pack contains 100 billion cells, they start dying off right away, so an older pack will require a larger starter. An average 5 gallon batch really needs 200 billion cells or more.

Look at these sites for information on making starters:
http://www.yeastcalculator.com/
http://www.mrmalty.com/calc/calc.html
http://www.brewersfriend.com/yeast-pitch-rate-and-starter-calculator/

I brew 1 gallon batches, i am using starters to overbuild and store, not to reach the cell count.

 

[kh54s10]

I brew 1 gallon batches, i am using starters to overbuild and store, not to reach the cell count.

In that case it would be far easier to make your starter then split that into separate jars for storage.

I do something similar. I have 20 ml vials. I make a starter for my recipe a little larger than I need. I then take 5 ml yeast, 5 ml glycerin and 10 ml water then freeze 4 vials. I have made new starters from yeast saved for well over a year.

I then pitch the rest in my present batch. If I make a new set of vials with one of the first 4 I don't have to buy that strain again.

 

[luizffgarcia]

In that case it would be far easier to make your starter then split that into separate jars for storage.

I do something similar. I have 20 ml vials. I make a starter for my recipe a little larger than I need. I then take 5 ml yeast, 5 ml glycerin and 10 ml water then freeze 4 vials. I have made new starters from yeast saved for well over a year.

I then pitch the rest in my present batch. If I make a new set of vials with one of the first 4 I don't have to buy that strain again.

That is kind of what i am trying to achieve.

My question is, why is different storing the content after making a starter? Instead if storing straight out of the package?

 

[kh54s10]

That is kind of what i am trying to achieve.

My question is, why is different storing the content after making a starter? Instead if storing straight out of the package?

I use a medicine syringe to measure with and it is easier to draw off the larger volume from a starter. (though I have never tried from a new package.) Plus the starter is ready to do the first batch!