carolinaeasy

Recipes 

And a friend of mine gave me a 500ml Pyrex beaker. Is this big enough to make a starter for an PA extract kit? I usually just make starters in other glass containers, but wanted to know if I can use this properly.

Yooper

Recipes 

I think it's too small. Even if you made a very small starter, it would probably boil over. I made a 500 ml starter in a 1000ml flask, and it boiled over.

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Broken Leg Brewery
Giving beer a leg to stand on since 2006

carolinaeasy

Recipes 

okay, so basically the 500ml is too small for most of my needs.

pdbreen

Recipes 

500ml is probably too small (my starter size is usually about 750ml-1000ml), but you could make use of it with a smaller starter if you either use Fermcap and/or boil the starter in another pot before transfer to the flask (and, again you may need Fermcap during the ferment to prevent a mess).

In my opinion, even a small starter is better than no starter at all.

Edit: just re-read that you said "beaker" not "flask". Probably not worth it at all with a beaker that size - better to use an old growler or half gallon mason jar.

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Atomic Dog Brewery

On Deck: Centennial IPA, Dry Irish Stout
P: Cascade Pale Ale
S: (nothing!)
K: (nothing!)
T: Carbed Crystal Light, Root Beer, Vanilla Cream Soda, Tripel IPA, Apfelwein

e^(pi*i) + 1 = 0

carolinaeasy

Recipes 

I have growlers that I sterilize and use that can hold a much larger starter. I usually just make a starter in there. I will most likely do that again here. Stinks, I get a free flask and it is basically of no use. I also plan on making a stir plate from the diy section and ordering a 2000ml flask kit soon.

shortyjacobs

Recipes 

+1 for FermCapS. I make 1000 mL starters in a 1000 mL erlenmeyer flask, and no boilovers....just a drop'll do ya!