Refrigerating a yeast starter..?

ernestmyname · 04-01-2009, 11:04 PM

My yeast starter is ready to be refrigerated. It is one day after peak activity. But, I don't know how. (I will be brewing 48 hours from now)

If I put it in there with the air lock, It will surely suck the vodka into the wort.

If I put it in without the air lock, it seems like I am defeating the purpose of using one in the first place.

Any help is appreciated.

**Yooper** · 04-01-2009, 11:34 PM

Try sanitizing a piece of foil, and sticking that tightly over the opening and place it in the fridge.

hayabusa · 04-01-2009, 11:42 PM

tinfoil. sealed mason jar.... those are my 2.

ernestmyname · 04-01-2009, 11:46 PM

Thanks guys.. I thought it was safe to assume that tin foil is sterile (enough)?

hayabusa · 04-01-2009, 11:50 PM

just hit it with some starsan in a spray bottle.....easy to do and ensures it is.

flyangler18 · 04-02-2009, 12:23 AM

A starter shouldn't have an airlock on it to begin with.

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f14/stop-putting-airlocks-your-starters-104529/

Hit a piece of tinfoil with some StarSan and put it over the opening of your starter container. Wild yeast and bacteria don't climb, they fall down.

ernestmyname · 04-02-2009, 12:34 AM

Thanks for the link - The only source I am using is Palmer's 'how to brew'.

Is there anything else I need to know that isn't contained in the book?

What is your opinion of using tin foil over an empty air lock on a primary?

thrawn86 · 04-02-2009, 07:57 PM

Whats the consensus on foam stoppers?

flyangler18 · 04-02-2009, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thrawn86

Whats the consensus on foam stoppers?

Perfectly acceptable! The key to a starter is allowing gas exchange because the yeast require oxygen for reproduction. You want to keep bacteria and wild yeast from falling in, while still allowing gaseous exchange.

giligson · 04-02-2009, 08:10 PM

Starter yeast need oxygen
If you see bubbles forming inside your vessle - that's CO2 and its pushing your oxygen out.

Aluminum foil baked for a half minute at 400 in your toaster oven - grasp at the edge and lay over your jar and fold down - don't seal, leave a gap for gas exchange.