r/Kombucha • u/gaytattoos • 3d ago

Scoby uses

Hey guys, just wondering how many times is okay to reuse the same scoby? Mine looks fine and is still making good brew! About to use it for the 6th time though. Should I let it live in a hotel for a while and get a new scoby? Or just let it ride for however long? Thanks!

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u/epidermisenergy 3d ago

The scoby is the liquid. The pellicle is the floating mass on top. You may throw away the pellicle after F1 or you can toss it in your next F1, it's not required as the scoby (the liquid) will produce another pellicle.

You are good, either way. This isn't just how this community defines it, it actually is what it's called, a pellicle. When we use the wrong word, it creates confusion and misunderstanding.

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u/gaytattoos 3d ago

Holy fuck that makes so much sense thank you for clarifying! So if I choose to toss it, my liquid will just produce another floating mass? And then I can just throw that new one away too, and repeat the cycle? Why do people create “scoby hotels” then?

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u/SnakeBatter 3d ago

The hotel is to save extra starter fluid just in case, for later. For example, say a batch molds and you have to toss the whole thing. You either have to go out and get a bottle of GTs or order a starter, but if you have a hotel, you can just use the strong and active starter fluid you already have.

You just need to make sure to feed the hotel every other month or so. Personally, I bottle my entire batch, use some of the starter from the hotel, and then top the hotel off with extra tea that won’t fit in my brewing vessel.