Lager Starter not Starting?

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rtrevino

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I'm getting ready to brew my first Lager and I prepared a 1.5 L starter with 1.5 cups ldme, pitched my wyeast, let it set at ~75F for 36 hrs and I have had it at 52 F for ~36 hrs and there is no noticeable fermentation. Am I just being impatient or is this typical of lagers? Before you ask I didn't check the o.g. I know, my bad.
 
After 72 hours, you should see some slurry at the bottom of your starter. I'd say go ahead an brew with it.
 
With my lager starters it's not uncommon to see very little or no krausen, but after 5 days or so I have a nice yeast cake form at the bottom.
 
It can be hard to tell if a starter is going. When I have doubt, I decant the liquid off the top into a sterile container and measure the gravity.

If the gravity has not dropped, then I can easily add the wort back in.

If the gravity dropped, I can step it up by adding more wort.
 
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