[DW]

So I brewed a big healthy bock recently that did awesome.  I saved the yeast from the primary fermentation, rinsed it, and put it in masion jars that had soaked in iodine solution.  After watching some youtube videos of people washing their yeast I noticed that they were boiling their jars instead of using a sterlizing solution.  Am I in trouble having only used the iodine solution?  Is my yeast contaminated?  I was planning on repitching it for a dopplebock 

[dmtaylor]

You're fine.  No worries.

[brewinhard]

+1 providing you gave it ample time to sanitize.  You should try to use that saved yeast within a couple days or so.  If not, then a starter should be utilized. 

[DW]

+1 providing you gave it ample time to sanitize.  You should try to use that saved yeast within a couple days or so.  If not, then a starter should be utilized.

How big of a starter should be made?  Why does a starter need to be made?  do the yeast hibernate and just need to be reactivated, or do I need to produce more cells? 

[dmtaylor]

Yeast will keep fine for a week or two without making a starter.  After that, you should make a starter to wake up the yeast AND produce more cells, as the cells will begin to die in a short time.  Besides, if you want to make a doppelbock, you'll need a huge amount of active yeast for a big lager if you want it to turn out tasting as good as possible.

[morticaixavier]

for what it's worth, neither boiling nor idophor sterilize anything. sanitize, yes, and that's good enough most of the time.

[ynotbrusum]

Sanitation is important, yes, but I use regular ziplock bags frequently to store yeast with no problems.  Jars or other containers are soaked in StarSan and used without issues.  Boiling is unnecessary, but can be used for vessels that can handle that.