Washed Yeast Calculator
Calculate how much washed yeast to pitch for your next batch. First find your required cell count, then determine the volume of washed yeast based on its concentration.
Thin Yeast — approx. 0.5 billion cells/ml (pours like water)
Thick Yeast — approx. 4 billion cells/ml (discard the water layer)
Estimate how much washed yeast slurry to pitch
Use the washed yeast calculator to estimate pitch volume from target cells, slurry thickness, and trub concentration when reusing yeast from a previous batch.
Example washed-yeast pitch
Calculate the cells needed for the next batch first, then choose the slurry concentration that best matches your washed yeast. The result estimates how much slurry to pitch.
- Calculate required cells from batch volume, gravity, and fermentation type.
- Choose the slurry thickness that best matches the visual reference.
- Adjust for trub concentration before measuring the pitch volume.
Watch for: Only reuse yeast that smells clean and came from a healthy fermentation; this calculator cannot judge contamination risk.
Frequently asked questions
What is washed yeast?
Washed yeast is harvested yeast slurry separated from some beer, hop matter, and trub after fermentation.
Why does slurry thickness matter?
Thicker slurry contains more cells per milliliter, so the required pitch volume changes a lot with concentration.
Should I make a starter with washed yeast?
A starter can help when the slurry is old, underbuilt, or needed for a high-gravity beer.
Can this guarantee healthy yeast?
No. It estimates quantity, but yeast health depends on age, storage, sanitation, and the previous fermentation.
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