How many times do you reuse yeast?

[Kyle Richards]

I have become a huge fan of making liquid starters from previous batchs yeast trub. Fermentation starts waaaaay quicker and healthier than pitching rehy dry yeast. Question is: how many times do you folk reuse yeast in this kind of set up? I am as sanitary as possible but unsure I want to go over 8 cycles just to be sure I dont &%^$ a batch.

Cheers!!

[Dan]

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

[Smiffy]

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

[Grant R Baker]

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.

[Kyle Richards]

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?

[Grant R Baker]

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.

[Ultima1]

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

[Grant R Baker]

Briscoes.. wee jam jars.

[Ultima1]

awesome, thanks.

[Dave]

I have 1/2doz of these.

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