My first yeast starter, any suggestions?

ipatch said:

I just completed my first yeast starter today 20AUG10, and was hoping to get some suggestions from people here on the forums.

My yeast starter recipe is as follows:

1 cup DME
32oz H2O

Instructions:
1) Wisk DME and H2O together.
2) Bring to boil for 15 minutes
3) Chill to about 65F
4) Add yeast.

The yeast I used for this starter was White Labs American Lager Yeast WLP840

My questions:

1)After pouring my completed starter into my 2000ml Erlenmeyer flask I have approx 750-800ml of liquid in the flask. Is this enough for a 5 gallon batch of beer?

2)I put the starter wort on the stir plate as soon as I added the yeast to the wort. How long do I need to leave this starter on the stir plate?

3) I covered the flask with a piece of aluminum foil instead of using a rubber stopper and an air lock is this going to be problematic?

4) Room temperature is 82F is this going to be an issue for this lager yeast?

Click to expand...

wyzazz said:

The gravity for that starter is a little high, you want it to be between 1.030-1.040. I usually use around 3/4 cups of DME to 38oz of water pre-boil.

1. Use MrMalty.com to figure out how big of a starter you need.

2. Leave it for 18-24 hours, then chill & decant.

3. Sanitized foil is all I ever use.

4. I'd see if I could get the temp down a little but you shouldn't have too many problems. Although, depending on the size of your starter vessel you may have some blowoff.

Click to expand...

ipatch said:

Hey thanks for the help, but got one question for you, and yes, I know I sound like a noob when I ask this. How do I decant the starter? I know this is the process of removing the starter wort from the flask and keeping the yeast, but is there a youtube video showing how this is done, or do you have a preferred method you use?

Click to expand...