Yeast cake in my airlock! Should I add it back?

[NathanJ]

So I brewed my first All Grain on the weekend and it went well. 4 days into fermentation it crawled its way out of the air-lock, which I've had in the past and I just cleaned it up. This one though had a solid sludgy yeast cake in the bottom of the thing. I cleaned and refilled, came back next day and the same thing.
Should I be tipping the yeast back in?
Or is it safe to say the fermenter is in no need of all that yeast.
Also, would it be worth putting the sludge aside and growing it for another batch? (Which I've never done before, but keen to learn)

 

[Spiesy]

No. It's no longer sanitary. Get rid if the yeast that's been exposed, clean up as best as you can - and let the fermentation do it's thing.

 

[Mr. No-Tip]

...And maybe have all the bits for a blow off tube ready for next time. I rarely fit one to start but have had to swap it in a few times....

 

[HBHB]

Spray a bunch of acid based sanitiser at working strength over it and mop up thoroughly, remove the airlock and clean it up and re-sanitise it before re-insertion.

 

[NewtownClown]

Don't toss it. Drink it. It is good for you.

 

[NathanJ]

Thanks for the advice guys.

 

[Spiesy]

...And maybe have all the bits for a blow off tube ready for next time. I rarely fit one to start but have had to swap it in a few times....

Love the blow off tube. Haven't looked back since.

 

[NickB]

Don't worry, the kitten will drink it.

 

[MartinOC]

Don't worry, the kitten will drink it.

BUGGER! Someone got in before me :lol:

 

[MaltyHops]

...or could be kitty litter? :lol:

 

[Yob]

Out of curiosity, what is the brew ans the yeast?

 

[NathanJ]

It was an imperial IPA that ended up at 1.084 OG after I calculated my boil off wrong. I ended up with 13ltrs in my 15ltr fermenter. I know I could have topped up with water, but I do tend to like stronger beers so left it. Yeast was Mangrove Jacks M44 US West Coast Ale yeast. First time using it, and it smells pretty full on, but nice.