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Author Topic: Yeast and Pressure  (Read 3034 times)

Offline phunhog

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Yeast and Pressure
« on: June 11, 2012, 02:54:00 pm »
I was reading an article about Saisons in Zymurgy a while back. Drew talked about how yeast don't like pressure and to NOT put an airlock in but rather just cover the opening with some sanitized foil. Now I do this for starters with the theory that there will be better exchange of gases. Here is where I am baffled....how much back pressure could putting in an airlock create?  It can't possibly be more than .5 psi. Could it make a difference?

Offline nateo

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Re: Yeast and Pressure
« Reply #1 on: June 11, 2012, 04:32:31 pm »
Even if it's +1/2 psi, that's still 50% more pressure than 1 psi. I thought it was higher, but I don't remember where I saw that.

EDIT: Whoops, I'm an idiot. I meant 1 bar, not 1 psi. 1 bar is like 14 psi, so 1/2 psi isn't much pressure at all.
« Last Edit: June 11, 2012, 04:35:59 pm by nateo »
In der Kürze liegt die Würze.

Offline phunhog

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Re: Yeast and Pressure
« Reply #2 on: June 11, 2012, 09:24:45 pm »
Another reason why I don't think it is a big deal is that atmospheric pressure will vary according to altitude.  In San Diego it is essentially 14.7 psi but in Denver it is something like 12.2.  Obviously brewers in San Diego in make great beer even though their yeast have to endure an extra 2.5 psi of pressure compared to Colorado brewers. I think this myth is busted.... ;)

Offline brewmichigan

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Re: Yeast and Pressure
« Reply #3 on: June 12, 2012, 08:46:13 am »
I always brew my beer in the troposphere. The yeast love the near zero-gravity environment.
Mike --- Flint, Michigan

Offline kramerog

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Re: Yeast and Pressure
« Reply #4 on: June 12, 2012, 09:15:03 am »
1 psi = 2.3 ft of water
Height of water in a airlock is ~1".  =>back pressure is miniscule.

Using foil on starter may be beneficial because it allows diffusion of air into the starter vessel.