Activating the yeast

Remmy

meow
Nov 16, 2004
111
0
0
40
Brisbane, Australia
So i tried DIY co2 for the first time, and my first 3 batches were a failure.
Many of the guides that i read managed to skip apparently a very important step in the process.

If you plan to use dry yeast you should activate the culture first. As discussed previously, yeast needs to start in an aerobic environment first, so it can then readily adapt to the anaerobic conditions in our little fermentation factory. Many folks who omit this step believe they are creating this situation with just the action of pouring the mixture into their bottle. But they also do not realize that much of the yeast they use dies, because many of the yeast cells could not complete the aerobic phase of its life before the conditions change to anaerobic. This step insures all the yeast is already aerobically active and working before it is placed in the generator. The time it takes for the generator to begin producing pressurized CO2 is significantly reduced by this following step. These yeasts also need to be rehydrated properly, as also previously mentioned, so as to not damage the yeast cell walls.

I take my measure of yeast, add a small quantity of tepid water, 100º-115ºF, (not hot), and stir it up in a little cup with a fork. Stir the mixture until the yeast in no longer in clumps, but instead a smooth creamy tan liquid. Now here's the part everyone forgets, add a few pinches of sugar and vigorously mix the yeast liquid up making lots of bubbles. You want to get oxygen in there to get the yeast going. Once this is done, let the mixture stand for about ten minutes. Then take your funnel in hand, open the aseptic bottle you prepared, and pour in your yeast culture.
full article http://www.qsl.net/w2wdx/aquaria/diyco2.html

I tried this method of activating the yeast prior to mixing it into the main container and surely enough my next batch was a success.
 
with yeast it is important to make sure the water is 'tepid' in temp..not hot
make sure the date on the yeast is not past expiration.

also yeast is not very tolerant of , alcohol, chlorine(depending on what you read),temp ..just to name a few.

I always mix the yeast in tepid water .add a few grains of sugar to start it. and let it set for 10 minute.
the amount of sugar you sue depends in part on the size of the container.

I have also successfull added it to tepid water/sugar without mixing with success.

btw, I don't add any de-chlor to any water I use for yeast ..also yeast is less active when cold
 
star_rider said:
also yeast is not very tolerant of , alcohol, chlorine(depending on what you read),temp ..just to name a few.

i dont think that the alcohol part is too ture, cuz DIY co2 makes alcohol, you can actually turn it into a still and get 3-4 litters (depending on size of still) of 35-40% and get co2. :) dont ask me how, go find out yourself and its probley illegal where you live :rolleyes:
 
Corbin said:
i dont think that the alcohol part is too ture, cuz DIY co2 makes alcohol, you can actually turn it into a still and get 3-4 litters (depending on size of still) of 35-40% and get co2. :) dont ask me how, go find out yourself and its probley illegal where you live :rolleyes:

actually it is quite true..some yeast is more tolerant of it but most if not all yeast will eventually secumb to alcohol.
check out some of the brewers yeast or wine yeast if you want more tolerant yeast.
 
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