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View Full Version : Pitching yeast first

corkybstewart
04-24-2007, 10:13 AM
After a couple of years here I've noticed that most people fill their fermenters and then add yeast and stir. I've always poured my yeast starters into the fermenter and then racked the cooled wort on top of it. It's always worked fine. The last 4 batches I've used my oxygenation setup and I'm wondering if there's any problem with adding O2 to wort with the yeast already in it. When I use the conical Iadd the yeast starter, seal everything up, and pump my wort thru the racking port. After the wort is in, I turn the O2 on and let it bubble up through the wort and out the blowoff hose. Does anybody see any problem with this approach?
When I'm using buckets, I run the O2 into the wort in the hose between the pump and the buckets.
The reason I'm asking is that I have seen no benefit to the O2 as far as shorter lag time or quicker arrival at FG.
danno
04-24-2007, 04:23 PM
the only problem I see with your approach here is a failry inefficient use of your o2 if you're not using a stone to diffuse it. and maybe you are, but just didn't mention it...

The reason I'm asking is that I have seen no benefit to the O2 as far as shorter lag time or quicker arrival at FG.compared to not using o2, or using it in the different manner?
corkybstewart
04-24-2007, 04:30 PM
I bought the inline setup from morebeer.com, with the stone and thermometer. I got an O2 tankand regulator from work. I just haven't seen any changes in fermentation since I started using it.
danno
04-24-2007, 04:41 PM
i'm going to guess that you were doing some sort of aeration before you switch over to o2. that could be why you're not seeing any difference. another thing to consider, aeration/oxidation isn't just about speed, it's about yeast health. yeast that spend all their energy fermenting and not budding and reproducing will start dying off, which can give off flavors. I've judged enough contests and tasted enough rubbery, muddy, indistinct beers to know that yeast health is definitely important.
corkybstewart
04-24-2007, 04:51 PM
I bought this set up because I had a few batches in a row that didn't want to finish out completely. Several people suggested the problem was not enough oxygen so I decided to try it. It certainly hasn't done any harm, but I haven't seen any spectacular improvement either. But it's bought and paid for so I'll keep using it.