Yeast Starter in a pinch.

So thought I ordered a 1000ml flask off northern brewer, but I looked at my order online and it wasn't there. So I'm planning a beer this coming week and wanted to try a starter of some of the yeast I washed a few weeks ago.

Can I boil my starter wort in a pot on the stove, cool it, then use a 2 liter bottle (sanitized of course) for growing out the yeast?

I know I'd have to chill the wort before putting it in the thin plastic bottle. I would drill a hole in the lid and put a ale-pale grommet in the hole for the air lock.

Any down side in doing it this way?

If you are trying to propagate (which is what a starter is for) the yeast, then don't use an airlock. A sanitized piece of aluminum foil covering the opening loosely will allow the gas exchange you need (yeast multiply in the presence of oxygen); swirl that starter a few times a day to keep the yeast in suspension and oxygen in the mix.

A plastic bottle will work fine.

Yes,you can do that except you don't need an airlock. Some sanitized foil on the top works better. Shake the wort good so you get good aeration into it before adding the yeast.

Thanks both of you.

If I don't have DME could i use brown sugar and some hops?

i4ourgot said:

If I don't have DME could i use brown sugar and some hops?

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I've used Goya Malta right out of the bottle in a pinch...not the cheapest alternative but if you keep a 6-pack around for emergency use it works well.

goya malt - Google Search

i4ourgot said:

If I don't have DME could i use brown sugar and some hops?

Click to expand...

Not a good idea on either count. Simple sugars don't develop strong yeast cells, and hops contribute nothing.