WLP 002 Starter Looks Funny

[thirsty_t (In The Sand)]

Made a 2 L starter with two vials of WLP 002 last night.  Directions say to take it out of the fridge 3-6 hrs prior to pitching.  I took it out about 1 hr before pitching.  It has been on a stir plate since then.  Today it looks very chunky.  Looks like the yeast is congealed(?).  Anybody ever had this happen?  Did I shock the yeast, or does it just need time to break up?  The wort was about 75F when I pitched and the yeast was probably around 65F.  Here’s a pic:

[daniel.yanulavich (Upstate Dan)]

You’re good. That strain just looks like cottage cheese.

[skatz (Stevie)]

Yep, you’re good. Nothing to see here.

[redbeerman]

+1 You’re lucky any of it is in suspension.

[thirsty_t (In The Sand)]

That’s great to hear. I have the stir plate wide open which is why it is in suspension.

[skatz (Stevie)]

Egg drop soup should be added to the description or on the packaging to prevent people from freaking out. Looks about the same in the fermenter.

[slowbrew]

Like the rest have said, that looks perfectly normal to me.

Paul

[tschmidlin]

Ummm . . . I’m a little confused/concerned with your procedure.

Made a 2 L starter with two vials of WLP 002 last night.  Directions say to take it out of the fridge 3-6 hrs prior to pitching.  I took it out about 1 hr before pitching.  It has been on a stir plate since then.

You made a starter with 2 vials of WLP002 and put it in the fridge, then pulled it out today and put it on a stir plate?  And it stayed on there for one hour before you put it in your wort?

That’s the way I’m reading this. :-\

[thirsty_t (In The Sand)]

@tschmidlin

Ummm . . . I’m a little confused/concerned with your procedure.

Made a 2 L starter with two vials of WLP 002 last night.  Directions say to take it out of the fridge 3-6 hrs prior to pitching.  I took it out about 1 hr before pitching.  It has been on a stir plate since then.

You made a starter with 2 vials of WLP002 and put it in the fridge, then pulled it out today and put it on a stir plate?  And it stayed on there for one hour before you put it in your wort?

That’s the way I’m reading this. :-\

LOL No. When I got the yeast I put it in the fridge. Prior to making the starter, I took the yeast out of the fridge and it sat on the counter for an hour before I finished the starter wort and got it chilled. Then I pitched the yeast into the starter wort. Then I put it on the stir plate. Then you have the pic I posted. Got it?

[duboman]

@tschmidlin

Ummm . . . I’m a little confused/concerned with your procedure.

Made a 2 L starter with two vials of WLP 002 last night.  Directions say to take it out of the fridge 3-6 hrs prior to pitching.  I took it out about 1 hr before pitching.  It has been on a stir plate since then.

You made a starter with 2 vials of WLP002 and put it in the fridge, then pulled it out today and put it on a stir plate?  And it stayed on there for one hour before you put it in your wort?

That’s the way I’m reading this. :-\

I was just thinking the same thing, looks like a normal, pre-crashed starter to me

[skatz (Stevie)]

I think he is talking about taking the vials out of the fridge.

[thirsty_t (In The Sand)]

I think he is talking about taking the vials out of the fridge.

Yes

[tschmidlin]

@tschmidlin

Ummm . . . I’m a little confused/concerned with your procedure.

Made a 2 L starter with two vials of WLP 002 last night.  Directions say to take it out of the fridge 3-6 hrs prior to pitching.  I took it out about 1 hr before pitching.  It has been on a stir plate since then.

You made a starter with 2 vials of WLP002 and put it in the fridge, then pulled it out today and put it on a stir plate?  And it stayed on there for one hour before you put it in your wort?

That’s the way I’m reading this. :-\

LOL No. When I got the yeast I put it in the fridge. Prior to making the starter, I took the yeast out of the fridge and it sat on the counter for an hour before I finished the starter wort and got it chilled. Then I pitched the yeast into the starter wort. Then I put it on the stir plate. Then you have the pic I posted. Got it?

Ah, ok.

WLP002 floccs like crazy, I’ve even tried breaking them up with a vortexer when I was freezing samples, it didn’t work very well.

[thirsty_t (In The Sand)]

I am not crashing this starter before I pitch, but when I do pitch should I decant most of the wort and just pitch the floc’d yeast?

[duboman]

I am not crashing this starter before I pitch, but when I do pitch should I decant most of the wort and just pitch the floc’d yeast?

in order to decant you would have to cold crash it for a day or two to force the yeast to floc out completely, otherwise you risk decanting a lot of yeast in suspension. If you can’t crash it then pitch the whole thing but that wouldn’t be my recommendation;)

[jonhughey_att.net (HoosierBrew)]

@duboman

I am not crashing this starter before I pitch, but when I do pitch should I decant most of the wort and just pitch the floc’d yeast?

in order to decant you would have to cold crash it for a day or two to force the yeast to floc out completely, otherwise you risk decanting a lot of yeast in suspension. If you can’t crash it then pitch the whole thing but that wouldn’t be my recommendation;)

+1 to cold crashing.