Do you boil your yeast starter in the flask?

[wi_brewer]

I have a 2L Erlenmeyer from Midwest Supplies. Currently I am boiling my starter wort in a sauce pan, then pour it into the flask using a sanitized funnel.

I have a gas stove and would like to cut out the sauce pan and funnel if possible, but I am hesitant to start boiling wort in the flask unless I know that it's definitely not going to shatter.

So, do you boil in your flask?!

 

[cheier]

It won't shatter, but watch out for boil over because as the foam reaches the top of the flask, it moves quick.

 

[MalFet]

Yep, but it depends on your flask. A good borosilicate glass flask should be fine directly on a gas stove, but even with good quality glass quick heating and cooling cycles will shorten the life of the flask. I'm not trying to save my erlenmeyer flask for my grandkids, though, so I've never worried about it and have had no trouble boiling on my gas stove.

 

[strat_thru_marshall]

i ALWAYS boil in the flask directly on my gas stove. Full blast boil, directly into an ice bath. Works every time.

1. Place empty flask on gram scale and zero scale
2. Load in desired amount of DME (100g for a 1L starter, 200g for 2L, etc)
3. Fill flask with water to reach starter level
4. Boil 10 minutes
5. Cover with foil for last 2-3 minutes of boil to sanitize.
6. Dunk in ice bath to chill
7. Pitch yeast and put on stir plate.

Basically no cleanup or extra dishes.

 

[passedpawn]

I money-back-guarantee it won't shatter. I wouldn't plunge it straight into ice water from the stove, though. I run mine under sink water for about 10 seconds before the ice. Never a problem on my Pyrex 4L

 

[wi_brewer]

Thanks guys, much appreciated.

 

[JWest]

Is it just like this?

Straight from the website: "It features a heat-resistant borosilicate glass flask, which allows you to boil, cool, and ferment the starter wort in the same vessel."

Should give you a little more peace of mind.

 

[VegasBrew]

Two more points, when you put it in the ice water don't let the cold water level go above the inner hot wort and USE an anti-foaming agent!!! It will boil over fast if your not careful. Sorry, can't remember the name if the anti foam stuff atm....

VB

 

[strat_thru_marshall]

Sorry, can't remember the name if the anti foam stuff atm....

Fermcap-S. Never use it personally, but lots of folks here sure do like it.

 

[HerotBrewer]

Also, from personal experience, I'd suggest you follow Strat-Thru-Marshall's advice.

Don't do what I did and start your water boiling then pour your dme into the flask. Instant wort volcano all over the stove.

 

[TheBroonery]

What about an electric cooktop (smooth ceramic)? I was going to experiment on it with water and a sink full of cold water sometime soon. Middle school science taught me that it would likely shatter going from one temp extreme to another.

 

[jetmac]

What about an electric cooktop (smooth ceramic)? I was going to experiment on it with water and a sink full of cold water sometime soon. Middle school science taught me that it would likely shatter going from one temp extreme to another.

I use mine on a "glass" top electric stove with no problem. Where the element is under the glas. I think you shouldn't use it on an electric with the coil type elements only.

 

[MalFet]

What about an electric cooktop (smooth ceramic)? I was going to experiment on it with water and a sink full of cold water sometime soon. Middle school science taught me that it would likely shatter going from one temp extreme to another.

It will undoubtedly cause more stress to the glass, but not necessarily so much more that it won't work. Ultimately, a lot of it depends on your flask and on your stove. Give it a shot, but of course always be careful.

 

[Hang Glider]

Gas heat should be fine - not sure about smooth ceramic, but I lost a flask recently (good one, too!). After research, I found they are not supposed to be used on electric elements. I never found the "why?" because borosilicate from heat to cold should be fine. But they can and WILL crack and break when used on electric elements.

 

[ultravista]

strat_thru_marshall - what brand and model # flask do you have? Mine is a Pyrex 4980.

 

[strat_thru_marshall]

strat_thru_marshall - what brand and model # flask do you have? Mine is a Pyrex 4980.

not sure, It's 2L and was $29 at the LHBS, not a high end model or anything. It is borosilicate glass, just not Pyrex brand. I don't think it has any brand markings, I'll check it out when I get home.

 

[Kuruts]

Same here, loss one to a glass top yesterday.. same thing, 29 bucks from the LHBS