How to go about re-pitching

[kev211]

So here's the deal... I brewed a vanilla cream ale yesterday. 5.5 gals 1.055og. I pitched 1 vial of WLP001 at around 8:00pm last night 7/19/2015, no starter (double brew day and the stir plate was occupied for my ipa I brewed). So here we are 20 hours later and its calm as a lake. No fermentation at all. I know that they can take a little while sometimes to take off but I've got nothing. So I'm wondering about what to do if nothing happens. Do I just pitch another vial of wlp001, or should I make a starter and pitch?

 

[kiari_dogo]

Did you take a gravity reading? Who knows - fermentation could be starting without much visual activity. Also, what's the temperature? Although I am assuming you are fermenting the IPA with WLP001 as well and they are next to each other, eliminating that as a variable.

If fermentation hasn't jumped off and your yeast are definitely bad, I suggest two different options. 1) Pitch two new vials of WLP001 in there. 2) Pitch a packet of rehydrated Safale05 in there.

 

[govner1]

What was your temp at pitch? Fermentor temp now?
I'd relax and give it 48+ hours depending on temps.
Oh! Yeah! Have a homebrew!

 

[kev211]

A gravity reading since pitching? No I haven't. I took an og reading but haven't done anything with it since. You are correct about the ipa. Fermenting with 001 and they are sitting at about 65 degrees

 

[kh54s10]

You are jumping the gun. It will most likely take longer since you didn't use a starter. There should be enough yeast unless it was an outdated vial. Wait at least another 24, maybe 48 hours. Take a gravity reading before doing anything.

If you do repitch, you can use another vial, or make a small starter. Though making a starter will delay repitch, if any nasties were to get started any delay will make the situation worse.

 

[RLinNH]

72 hours before you start to get worried. Me, if I had to repitch, I would brew a simple, small 2 quart starter, and once it is going good, pitch the entire thing into the carboy.

 

[kev211]

I know I'm jumping the gun (brewed these for a wedding in 4 weeks so they need to take haha). It was supposed to be more of a question of, if I do have to repitch, do I make a small starter to wake them up? Or repitch more. Thanks for the responses y'all!

 

[RLinNH]

I know I'm jumping the gun (brewed these for a wedding in 4 weeks so they need to take haha). It was supposed to be more of a question of, if I do have to repitch, do I make a small starter to wake them up? Or repitch more. Thanks for the responses y'all!

Do another small starter. Once it is actively fermenting, pitch the entire slurry into the wort.

 

[Calder]

If fermentation hasn't jumped off and your yeast are definitely bad, I suggest two different options. 1) Pitch two new vials of WLP001 in there. 2) Pitch a packet of rehydrated Safale05 in there.

Do this.

But I think you are too soon, and you will find your initial pitch is fine.