Yeast Starter

[endatheworld]

I am making a yeast starter from a pack of Wyeast 2035(Packaging Date 12/15). Beersmith tells me that I need 500billion cells. So I went ahead and made up a 2 liter starter. If i am correct this should give me 200Billion cells? Then I decanted off and added another 2 liters of wort. According to various charts that should give me 300 Billion cells? That is where i am stuck? Can i just carry on doing this 2 more times to get 500 billion? Or does the restrictive size of 2 liters(i only have a 2l flask) make this impossible? Any help would be appreciated.

[vacant]

I'd pitch what you've got. During the growth phase the number of cells can double every three hours. It's important to have healthy yeast. Brew Lab has always advised a 300ml starter for their slants.

If you keep decanting after a short time you're selecting out the cells that are better at finishing up. But I wouldn't worry too much. One experiment found many people preferred seriously under pitched beer

[McMullan]

I am making a yeast starter from a pack of Wyeast 2035(Packaging Date 12/15). Beersmith tells me that I need 500billion cells. So I went ahead and made up a 2 liter starter. If i am correct this should give me 200Billion cells? Then I decanted off and added another 2 liters of wort. According to various charts that should give me 300 Billion cells? That is where i am stuck? Can i just carry on doing this 2 more times to get 500 billion? Or does the restrictive size of 2 liters(i only have a 2l flask) make this impossible? Any help would be appreciated.

The short answer is, no. It doesn't work like that, unfortunately. Replenishing the same volume of spent wort is simply feeding the yeast population, not selecting for population growth. You'd end up with a geriatric slurry that might or might not ferment as expected. What are you going to brew, volume, OG and expected FG?

[gaunt_paul]

I find that the beersmith calculator isn't much use, especially if you're using multiple steps. I use this one...

http://www.yeastcalculator.com/

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

[endatheworld]

If you keep decanting after a short time you're selecting out the cells that are better at finishing up. But I wouldn't worry too much. One experiment found many people preferred seriously under pitched beer

Thanks. I have underpitched before when doing a lager and it didnt turn out well.

The short answer is, no. It doesn't work like that, unfortunately. Replenishing the same volume of spent wort is simply feeding the yeast population, not selecting for population growth. You'd end up with a geriatric slurry that might or might not ferment as expected. What are you going to brew, volume, OG and expected FG?

I thought as much. I am brewing a IPL. 20L with a of OG 1069.

I find that the beersmith calculator isn't much use, especially if you're using multiple steps. I use this one...

http://www.yeastcalculator.com/

Thanks for that. I never seen that one before. I used Mr Malty's calc as well but this one seems better as it has the steps.

[McMullan]

The easiest route, without a larger starter vessel, would be to get a standard lager on the go, using the yeast you've cultured, then harvest what you need from the subsequent yeast cake.

[endatheworld]

The easiest route, without a larger starter vessel, would be to get a standard lager on the go, using the yeast you've cultured, then harvest what you need from the subsequent yeast cake.

I have a couple of kgs of pilsner malt lying around. I will do a small 10 liter batch with that and yeast I have and harvest that. That should give me enough cells.

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[orlando]

I think you may already have enough, even though it is an above average abv wort your pitching into.

[MTW]

I find that the beersmith calculator isn't much use, especially if you're using multiple steps. I use this one...

http://www.yeastcalculator.com/

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

I do question the figures on these. That would have you pitch 3 packets of US-05 into a 20L 1.050 ale, taking into account its cell density; not many people would do that!

I'm not sure you've stated just how cold you may be pitching this lager. If it were an ale, and you're talking 20L or so, I'd go with Orlando. 2L would be more than enough.

[endatheworld]

I find that the beersmith calculator isn't much use, especially if you're using multiple steps. I use this one...

http://www.yeastcalculator.com/

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

I do question the figures on these. That would have you pitch 3 packets of US-05 into a 20L 1.050 ale, taking into account its cell density; not many people would do that!

I'm not sure you've stated just how cold you may be pitching this lager. If it were an ale, and you're talking 20L or so, I'd go with Orlando. 2L would be more than enough.

I will be pitching and start fermenting at 12 °C. I do agree with you on the calcs. I only ever have looked at them when I have done a lager(only done 2) and have ignored them in the past and just went for the 2l starter. I decided that this time I would try to follow the recommendations for the fun of it but am slowly regretting that decision.