Membership questions? Log in issues? Email info@brewersassociation.org

Author Topic: Pitch in wort or empty fermenter  (Read 1988 times)

Offline bierview

  • Assistant Brewer
  • ***
  • Posts: 235
Pitch in wort or empty fermenter
« on: October 23, 2016, 09:25:46 am »
From time to time I use C-Brite to sanitize.  There are always a few teaspoons left in the bottom of the carboy after dumping the solution despite trying to get it all out.  Today there were only a few minutes left to cool my wort completely.  In that down time, I pitched the yeast into the fermentor.  As I looked at it, I wondered if that little bit of solution would have an effect on the yeast being in direct contact.  The yeast was out of the package no starter solution to dilute the yeast. 

For the most part I pitch into the wort.  Was trying to maximize time I guess.  Any harm done?


Offline majorvices

  • Global Moderator
  • I must live here
  • *****
  • Posts: 11326
  • Polka. If its too loud you're too young.
Re: Pitch in wort or empty fermenter
« Reply #1 on: October 23, 2016, 06:09:58 pm »
If it is a effective sanitizer then, yeah, you may have killed off some of your yeast. Depending on how old the package of yeast was or how high the gravity was you may have needed to make a starter anyway.

Offline bierview

  • Assistant Brewer
  • ***
  • Posts: 235
Re: Pitch in wort or empty fermenter
« Reply #2 on: October 24, 2016, 05:02:09 am »
If it is a effective sanitizer then, yeah, you may have killed off some of your yeast. Depending on how old the package of yeast was or how high the gravity was you may have needed to make a starter anyway.

The yeast was super fresh dated eleven days ago. Oct 12,2016.    OG 1.058.  It seems to have taken off but I am keeping my fingers crossed for a vigorous fermentation.

Offline bierview

  • Assistant Brewer
  • ***
  • Posts: 235
Re: Pitch in wort or empty fermenter
« Reply #3 on: October 24, 2016, 06:28:27 am »
I pitched WLP 011. It has been 18 hours and seems to have started to ferment. Swirling the carboy produces a lot of activity in the blow off tube and the yeast is coming to the top. Should I need it, would you suggest pitching something neutral like Nottingham or Safale US-05?

Offline santoch

  • Senior Brewmaster
  • ******
  • Posts: 1000
  • Riverview, FL
Re: Pitch in wort or empty fermenter
« Reply #4 on: October 24, 2016, 11:22:06 am »
Just leave it alone.  It sounds like things are moving along fine.
Looking for a club near my new house
BJCP GM3/Mead Judge

Offline Philbrew

  • Brewmaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 867
Re: Pitch in wort or empty fermenter
« Reply #5 on: October 24, 2016, 12:09:35 pm »
Why not pitch into the wort in the kettle (once the wort is at temp) and mix well.  Then transfer the, now technically, beer into the fermenter with lots of splashing to aerate.
Many of us would be on a strict liquid diet if it weren't for pretzels.

Offline a10t2

  • Official Poobah of No Life. (I Got Ban Hammered by Drew)
  • *********
  • Posts: 4696
  • Ask me why I don't like Chico!
    • SeanTerrill.com
Re: Pitch in wort or empty fermenter
« Reply #6 on: October 24, 2016, 12:31:11 pm »
Why not pitch into the wort in the kettle (once the wort is at temp) and mix well.  Then transfer the, now technically, beer into the fermenter with lots of splashing to aerate.

The only downside I can think of is that you're introducing culture yeast into your transfer tubing.
Sent from my Microsoft Bob

Beer is like porn. You can buy it, but it's more fun to make your own.
Refractometer Calculator | Batch Sparging Calculator | Two Mile Brewing Co.

Offline bierview

  • Assistant Brewer
  • ***
  • Posts: 235
Re: Pitch in wort or empty fermenter
« Reply #7 on: October 24, 2016, 03:22:02 pm »
Why not pitch into the wort in the kettle (once the wort is at temp) and mix well.  Then transfer the, now technically, beer into the fermenter with lots of splashing to aerate.

Hind site is 20/20

Offline Philbrew

  • Brewmaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 867
Re: Pitch in wort or empty fermenter
« Reply #8 on: October 24, 2016, 09:19:00 pm »
Why not pitch into the wort in the kettle (once the wort is at temp) and mix well.  Then transfer the, now technically, beer into the fermenter with lots of splashing to aerate.

The only downside I can think of is that you're introducing culture yeast into your transfer tubing.
If you recirculate boiling wort through the transfer tube near the end of the boil, should take care of that, no?
Many of us would be on a strict liquid diet if it weren't for pretzels.