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enohcs · 06-01-2011, 10:54 PM

What's your procedure for getting such a large volume of starter?
I did a calculation for a future lager I hope to do and it's calling for over 4L in starter.

BryceL · 06-01-2011, 11:02 PM

I did a lager that required a 4L starter. I found it easier to just make two 2L starters with 1 vial in each. My main reason was that I didn't have a vessel large enough for the 4L starter. You could do that or start with a 2L starter and ferment. Then decant and add 2L of fresh wort to build up your cell count.

jfowler1 · 06-01-2011, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enohcs

What's your procedure for getting such a large volume of starter?

Procedure? Simple - find a different solution.

The calculator uses variables, and each variable changes starter volume. More than one vial, a stir plate, and fresher yeast would all bring the starter volume down to a more reasonable size.

4L is not a normal starter; it is more like a batch of beer. It is simply the result of plugging in many unfavorable variables.

I say look into a stir plate, because it dramatically reduces the volume of wort as well as the number of vials required for an appropriate cell count.

If $75 for the stir plate is too big a nut to crack, opt for a second (or third) vial, but in that case, the stir plate would have paid for itself in about a year of brewing.

Joe

cyraxx · 06-01-2011, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfowler1

Procedure? Simple - find a different solution.

The calculator uses variables, and each variable changes starter volume. More than one vial, a stir plate, and fresher yeast would all bring the starter volume down to a more reasonable size.

4L is not a normal starter; it is more like a batch of beer. It is simply the result of plugging in many unfavorable variables.

I say look into a stir plate, because it dramatically reduces the volume of wort as well as the number of vials required for an appropriate cell count.

If $75 for the stir plate is too big a nut to crack, opt for a second (or third) vial, but in that case, the stir plate would have paid for itself in about a year of brewing.

Joe

One of these (http://stirstarters.com/) could be an option, as they're only $42. I'm looking to get one within the coming months when I start brewing bigger batches.

jfowler1 · 06-02-2011, 12:11 AM

Stirstarter looks like a very good option. I think mine was about $65 from BMW, but they seem to be carrying a different model now, and it is quite a bit more money.

solavirtus · 06-02-2011, 01:37 AM

A few ideas for you:

Homebrewing.org had a stirplate for $40 last I checked. I got mine second hand from the property disposition at the nearby university for $25 and its better than any $100 plate i've seen.

Also, some cheap wine comes in a 1 gallon glass jug that would be able to fit 3.5L with room to spare. Cheap and easy large, much more than flask that size.

ArcLight · 06-02-2011, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enohcs

What's your procedure for getting such a large volume of starter?
I did a calculation for a future lager I hope to do and it's calling for over 4L in starter.

Make a 2 liter starter, refrigerate it, decant (pour off) most of the liquid, leaving the Yeast slurry at the bottom, add in another 2 liters, plus DME (another 2 liter starter mix) and in 18 hours you have your 4 liter starter, in 2 liters of liquid.

Its a 2 stage starter.
Its covered in some threads here and elsewhere.

hypergolic · 06-02-2011, 01:48 AM

I have a stirstarter and it works great, lifetime guarantee also.

**bovineblitz** · 06-02-2011, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyraxx

One of these (http://stirstarters.com/) could be an option, as they're only $42. I'm looking to get one within the coming months when I start brewing bigger batches.

Could also make one for cheap. Some good ideas here.

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/show-us-your-diy-stir-plate-228400/

I made mine without spending a dime.

**sjbeerman** · 06-02-2011, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfowler1

Procedure? Simple - find a different solution.

The calculator uses variables, and each variable changes starter volume. More than one vial, a stir plate, and fresher yeast would all bring the starter volume down to a more reasonable size.

4L is not a normal starter; it is more like a batch of beer. It is simply the result of plugging in many unfavorable variables.

I say look into a stir plate, because it dramatically reduces the volume of wort as well as the number of vials required for an appropriate cell count.

If $75 for the stir plate is too big a nut to crack, opt for a second (or third) vial, but in that case, the stir plate would have paid for itself in about a year of brewing.

Joe

I believe that even with a stir plate, a 4 L starter is pretty typical for a lager if only one vial/smack pack is used. If you use two vials then it can be reduced to 2 L with a stir plate. This is what I did for my recent lager.