How many times do you reuse yeast?

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Permalink Reply by Dan on October 1, 2015 at 9:17pm

I do 5-6 then throw out. Havent tested longer but usually I want to change to a different yeast  style by then anyway

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Permalink Reply by Smiffy on October 1, 2015 at 9:34pm

See this thread for a bit of background:

http://www.forum.realbeer.co.nz/forum/topics/when-to-harvest-ale-ye...

I re-use the yeast 3 times. I usually use one "harvest" for 2 subsequent brews, so I do a total of 15 brew from one packet of yeast. Not only is the yeast 4th hand by then, it will have been stored for up to 6 months.

I think the best advice I received was to always smell the yeast (when you open the jar after it has warmed up from being in the fridge).

Smiffy

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Permalink Reply by Grant R Baker on October 2, 2015 at 12:31pm

I buy a smack pack, grow it, split into 4-6 jars. From there I can keep growing so it lasts a while.

I don't use washed yeast from previous beer as it changes slowly from brew to brew.

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Permalink Reply by Kyle Richards on October 2, 2015 at 1:44pm

Thats a good idea! So do you pour the smack pack into a 2l flask and grow for 24-48 hours then divide into jars?

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Permalink Reply by Grant R Baker on October 5, 2015 at 10:01am

That's roughly it.. but here is a summary.

• Make 1.040 starter (with a touch of yeast nutrient) and grow for 24hrs (40 for lagers).. some take longer to get started so I don't take it off until its gone milky.
• Put in a fridge for 48hours to chill and concentrate the yeast at the bottom.
• Syphon off the top clear liquid.
• Mix up the rest and divide into cooled boiled jars. Try to leave no head space in the jars.

I recommend a stirplate if you have one... you just get more yeast.

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Permalink Reply by Ultima1 on October 5, 2015 at 8:15pm

I have my stir plate but I am looking for jars/tubes to store my yeast. Any ideas on a source for these?

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Permalink Reply by Grant R Baker on October 5, 2015 at 8:18pm

Briscoes.. wee jam jars.

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Permalink Reply by Ultima1 on October 5, 2015 at 8:24pm

awesome, thanks.

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Permalink Reply by Dave on October 6, 2015 at 2:55pm

I have 1/2doz of these.

http://labwarehouse.co.nz/Glass-bottle-screw-cap--borosilicate-0250...

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