• Please visit and share your knowledge at our sister communities:
  • If you have not, please join our official Homebrewing Facebook Group!

    Homebrewing Facebook Group

Yeast questions

Homebrew Talk

Help Support Homebrew Talk:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
Thanks. I wasn't able to brew this weekend unfortunately. I have placed the starter in the fridge after ~30 hours of fermenting, had a nice 3/4" yeast cake on the bottom of the growler this morning which seems good.

Will the starter be safe to use this coming weekend? I believe I need to decant the wort, allow cake to rise to room temp. and then pitch?

I'd say the yeast will be fine as long as it's sealed well and you don't have anything molding in the fridge or anything. I put mine in the fridge (only overnight, though usually) and it's always fine. I take it out about 2-3 hours before I plan on pitching, decant most of the wort, letting just a little stay in there. Then let it rise to room temp, give it a good swirl and pour it in. Curious to see how this ferments, keep us posted!
 
Thanks folks.

The growler still has tinfoil on it, although perhaps now it makes sense to move to something airtight as the yeast isn't active anymore?

No mold in the fridge...SWMBO simply would not allow this!

Will keep you posted, hopefully get to brew on Sunday if all goes well.
 
You could, I usually leave the tin foil on the flasks and jars, but you could put a lid on it. Just spray Starsan on and around the foil liberally before removing it and spray the opening and neck after. Then recap.

I also use 1/2 gallon pickle jars, they have the twist-off lids and make a darn good seal for longer storage. Great for making starters in.

Beware, if you store yeast in the fridge for long periods of time. I've had a few Mason jars where the lid (under the ring/band) had bulged or even contorted to let the pressure out. Even at 36-38°F there can still be some activity.

What I also discovered is that the thin kitchen quality aluminum foil used as caps develops dozens of pin holes, as quickly as in 1 day, worse over time. Hold it up to a light. I assume it's the Phosphoric acid in Starsan corroding it. I now use "heavy duty" foil, and that remains solid and light tight, even after repeated use.

Now those pinholes can be used in some photographic applications perhaps. It's nearly impossible to make holes that small with mechanical means.
 
Finally able to brew!

I decanted the starter (now been in the fridge for 2 weeks) and am slightly worried at the color of the yeast on the bottom...the top half of the yeast looks slighty darker than the bottom, below are some pics.

Any idea if this looks infected? I tasted some of the decanted wort, and it tasted fine (flat table beer) and there doesn't seem to be any off smells.
 
Back
Top