frozen yeast

[i4ourgot]

Ok so my yeast froze in my fridge and is thawing out right now, its probably been frozen for three weeks, is that bad? the color looks normal and I am planning on using it to make a yeast starter.

 

[CBMbrewer]

I would guess that the yeast is all pretty much dead. Get a fresh vial/packet.

 

[Leithoa]

Unless it was specifically prepped for freezing it's all but a lost cause. If you have lots of DME and want the practice you can try to grow up a usable culture. But start small , 1-2x the vial volume of wort for the first couple incubations.
Freezing anything in water results in ice crystals breaking cell membranes killing the cell. Specifically prepared samples have glycol or some other 'anti-freeze' added to prevent/diminish ice crystal formation.

 

[i4ourgot]

well i am going to go for it and experiment and see what happens. Going to the LHBS and getting another vile of yeast and making two starters.

 

[seatbelt123]

That's the right attitude. Please keep us posted!

 

[grndslm]

Freezing anything in water results in ice crystals breaking cell membranes killing the cell. Specifically prepared samples have glycol or some other 'anti-freeze' added to prevent/diminish ice crystal formation.

This.