8 replies to this topic

[djinkc]

I harvested this 1007 slurry on 7/3. Decided that was too old to think about pitching and started heating water for a starter. I pulled the mason jar straight out of 38 - 40df storage and it started visible activity before the 1/2 gallon of water was even warm. I decided to blow off the starter and brew with the slurry on Thurs or Fri. Would you?

[MtnBrewer]

I would make the starter just to be sure that the activity you saw wasn't coming from some critter other than 1007.

[Slainte]

All of the professional literature I've read has recommended only using fresh slurry right after primary fermentation.If you really want to use it though, I would make a starter.What was the "activity" you were seeing? Could just be gas escaping. I very much doubt that yeast was doing real activity after sitting sealed up in a fridge, cold for a month, with no new source of fermentables.

[djinkc]

All of the professional literature I've read has recommended only using fresh slurry right after primary fermentation.If you really want to use it though, I would make a starter.What was the "activity" you were seeing? Could just be gas escaping.

I've used stuff 2- 3 weeks old with success before. The activity was big chunks of yeast rising to the top and falling back down. What I usually see at my place with fresher harvests when I take them out of cold storage.

[ncbeerbrewer]

I agree just be safe and make a smallish starter and make sure you see some activity. I have used 1007 a month and a half in between and just pitched a mason jar and been fine and I made a starter one time for 2565 and got nothing out of it. Just to be safe make a starter then you know you can roll with confidence with the 1007.

[djinkc]

Well, water is heating again. Wish I had some canned starter wort...........Better safe than sorry later.

[Thirsty]

How old is too old for slurry? I have 2 jars of wy1968 esb I was planning on making a starter for next week, it has been in fridge since winter. I have used old slurries before, is 8-9 mos too old you think?

[DaBearSox]

How old is too old for slurry? I have 2 jars of wy1968 esb I was planning on making a starter for next week, it has been in fridge since winter. I have used old slurries before, is 8-9 mos too old you think?

probably too old....what is the color like? If its looks old and grey probably a bad idea to try it...

[MtnBrewer]

How old is too old for slurry? I have 2 jars of wy1968 esb I was planning on making a starter for next week, it has been in fridge since winter. I have used old slurries before, is 8-9 mos too old you think?

Yeah, it is. I don't use slurry older than a couple of months and even that is pushing it. 3-4 weeks is my usual limit.