Nullnvoid
Well-Known Member
Thanks Mardoo! Very helpful. I think I'll restart one to be sure in my own mind. I have a cube ready to go anyway so it would be timely anyway.
Care to post it for posterity?such an excellent guide, i pdf bombed this before the photobucket images get toasted.
yeah i will , just need to sort out some storage options, seems the forum posting world has been pretty much rocked a bit by the photobucket debacle.Care to post it for posterity?
Depends on what sized vials you are using, how much yeast solids are in the vial, and how old it is.I have been using 200ml @ 1.020, 500ml @ 1.040 and 2l @ 1.040 because I read it somewhere.
Depends on what sized vials you are using, how much yeast solids are in the vial, and how old it is.
For a reasonably fresh, 1/2 yeast solids 15ml vial, I reckon that is on the money (anecdotal evidence only). Should also be good for older 50ml vials too.
If there is less yeast solids in the 15's, or they are getting on in age, then I'd recommend using more than one vial.
I've just pitched into 48L of a marzen. Started off at only 10ml solids of 1 year old WLP838. Built up to 11L using 6 steps over about 2 weeks, then 1 week cold crash to decant spent beer so I can pitch just the yeast. 10L of the total was for pitching, the other litre was to put back into the yeast bank.
The lager is currently frothing like mad and making full use of the blow off tube.
So much to learn . Love this hobby.
11 litres? That's one hell of a flask! Where does one by an 11litre flask and then I would love to see the stir plate!
I have been using 200ml @ 1.020, 500ml @ 1.040 and 2l @ 1.040 because I read it somewhere.
Nice, you get to drink - or more importantly, enjoy - your "starter".The 11L cubes from DJ_L3thAL are great for doing big step ups. I've gone from 2x 3L grows on the stirplate to an 11L non-stirred ferment to get the amount of yeast necessary for a heavy pitch.
LOL. End amount was in multiple flasks. Required significant planning to ensure I had the right flasks at the right time...
I have a 250ml, 500ml, 2 x 1L, 2 x 3L and 1 x 5L flasks + a few other bits and bobs. Missus reckons it a bit of a mad scientist's lab, not inclined to disagree.
Edit:
Just for laughs... here is the step up schedule:
21-Jul: pitched 10ml yeast solids -> 300ml(500ml Flask) @ 1.020
23-Jul: 300ml(500ml) -> 500ml(1L) @ 1.038
25-Jul: 500ml(1L) -> 1L(1L) @ 1.038
27-Jul: 1L(1L) -> 2L(3L) for next step & 1L(1L) for vials @ 1.038
29-Jul: 2L(3L) -> 5L(5L) for pitch & 1L(1L) for next step @ 1.038
31-Jul: 1L(1L) -> 2.5L(3L) & 2.5L(3L) @ 1.038, Cold crash 1L(1L) for vials
04-Aug: Cold crash 5L(5L) & 2 x 2.5L(3L)
08-Aug: Packaged 1L(1L) into 7 x 15ml vials ~6ml yeast solids each
12-Aug: Decanted spent starter liquid, vitality starter for 4hrs prior to pitch using wort from cubes, yeast spread equally over 2 x 3L flasks.
All up would have used ~1.5kg of DME... about $9 worth at bulk pricing. Well worth the effort as long you enjoy the process.
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