Harvesting yeast

[Ian Grant]

I got a couple 25ml vials would that be big enough to save some yeast for a future batch.  Just put the 1 25ml vial into a starter? I could just use a growler to wash it but i was thinking about skipping that step and when i go to pour my starter into my wort put a good amount of slurry into the vial.

[Richard]

You don't need to wash yeast that's come in a smack pack, although it's a good idea to use a starter if you only want to pitch one of them. The pack alone doesn't have enough cells, check the previous thread:

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=247&start=0

you'd have to google a bit to find the cell count of the vials you have, or just post whatever they are here and I'll have a look.

[Ian Grant]

Ya that might not have been clear.   I just made a starter tonight and I was thinking that after I decant it before pitching i would save 25ml in a vial for a later batch instead of waiting after I bottles the beer i'm gonna make and then washing the yeast for a later use.   I guess my question is do you think 25mls enough yeast for my next starter as long as that 25mls is a heavy slurry?

[Richard]

definitely. growth in starters seems to be capped by starter volume (see "Yeast"). Make sure you practice sanitary handling when you're transferring the slurry, though. The main issue here would be the danger of contamination.

Alternatively, given that the viability of the saved slurry will drop fairly quickly if you just refrigerate it, why not wash + reuse (use a starter: again, quality AND quantity of yeast are important) the yeast cake remaining after the brew?