I have a couple of questions about stepping up a starter. I recently brewed an ale with a starting gravity of 1064 using a 1056 yeast. The Mr. Malty calculator showed I needed a starter of 3.1 liters based on the vitality of the smack pack. The ale finished a bit higher that was supposed to and took a couple days longer than I expected. I have read a few posts that lead me to believe maybe I should have stepped my starter up instead of making all 3.1 liters at one time, and thus creating a healthier yeast starter.
When making a 3.1 liter starter in a one gallon container with one yeast pack, is it better to make the entire 3 liter starter at one time? do it in 3 one liter steps? Or a one liter followed by a two liter step?
What is the maximum recommended size of a starter using one vial or smack pack I can make without stepping it up?
Since I use a one gallon container for my starter, do I need to chill my starter and decant for each added step, or can I just add the next step to my already active starter between 18 and 36 hours or so, and then decant the finished starter prior to pitching?
I also use nutrient and a quick shot of oxygen in each of my starters, and intermittently shake while fermenting, can I use nutrient and oxygen in each step if I am decanting the starter before pitching in to my 5 gallon batch?
When making a 3.1 liter starter in a one gallon container with one yeast pack, is it better to make the entire 3 liter starter at one time? do it in 3 one liter steps? Or a one liter followed by a two liter step?
What is the maximum recommended size of a starter using one vial or smack pack I can make without stepping it up?
Since I use a one gallon container for my starter, do I need to chill my starter and decant for each added step, or can I just add the next step to my already active starter between 18 and 36 hours or so, and then decant the finished starter prior to pitching?
I also use nutrient and a quick shot of oxygen in each of my starters, and intermittently shake while fermenting, can I use nutrient and oxygen in each step if I am decanting the starter before pitching in to my 5 gallon batch?