Yeast Washing Advice?

[CaptainArgo]

So, I just finished bottling my first beer :rockin:

Now, however, I'd love to save some of that lovely saison yeast I spent my dollars on. Online when I saw examples of people doing this, after they poured water into the yeast and shook it up, it settled into very definite layers, with a noticeably "fluffy"-looking yeast layer on top.

Mine is not doing this. However, I am unsure if it is because I strained the trub out before putting it in the fermenter, or because I haven't added enough water to the bottle I'm using to wash it. Do you need to add very much water? I figured I wouldn't have as much gunk because of the straining, but I figured I'd at least see an obvious layer of proteins and other sediment.

 

[ChshreCat]

How long did you wait?

 

[CaptainArgo]

Not that long, just a few minutes. It seemed like it didn't take that long on the videos, lol.
Should I let it settle for 20 minutes or so? More?

 

[ChshreCat]

Definitely give it a good 20 mins or more.

Here's a good how-to on yeast washing that might help:
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f163/yeast-washing-illustrated-41768/

 

[BigFloyd]

Don't sweat it if you don't get clearly defined layers of different shades. It won't always do that. When you go to reuse it, simply decant the clear liquid off the top and use what's left.

 

[IvanTheTerribrew]

Definitely give it a good 20 mins or more.

Here's a good how-to on yeast washing that might help:
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f163/yeast-washing-illustrated-41768/

^ Yeah give it about 20-30 min. That link is perfect for washing yeast. Just make sure your sanitation is on high alert. You don't want to wash yeast to save money and then toss infected yeast into all the time and ingredients you used to make your wort.


- ISM NRP

 

[CaptainArgo]

Thanks everyone -- a little bit of patience fixed the "problem", hahaha. And I did use jars that had been through the sanitizing cycle and boiled my washing water beforehand (I let it cool, of course!)

If I did somehow infect my yeast, though, assuming I didn't immediately re-pitch it into something else, would I be able to tell by sight or smell whether it was infected if I used it, say, a month later?