Two Liter Polypropylene Erlenmeyer Flask for Starters?

[Positronic_Matrix]

I purchased a 2 L polypropylene Erlenmeyer flask from Amazon today. My goal is to use it with my existing stir plate to create yeast starters. I selected polypropylene as it was significantly less expensive ($7) than glass/Pyrex ($30) and has a screw top.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MTDRZDM/

It can be placed repeatedly in an autoclave (pressure cooker) without damage, as its melting point is 160 °C. I suspect it could even be heated on a hot plate on a low setting without issue. (The yeast would be killed before the flask would be.)

I searched all over the web and I could not find any information regarding the usage of polypropylene versus glass for brewing. I can’t be the first. Does anyone have an experience with such a flask?

 

[Willie66]

I pour my prepared wort at boil temperatures into my flask, and then use an ice bath to cool to pitching temperature. Not sure that is going to work with a plastic version. Also might be concerned with the stir plate magnetic piece rubbing on the plastic.

 

[S-Met]

I pour my prepared wort at boil temperatures into my flask, and then use an ice bath to cool to pitching temperature. Not sure that is going to work with a plastic version.

Not a problem, temp rating is well above boiling point of wort.

Also might be concerned with the stir plate magnetic piece rubbing on the plastic.

This is at minimum a concern. I don't know if it's a real concern, but at least worth considering. However, at 1/4th the price of glass, you won't feel bad if you f-it up.

 

[day_trippr]

[...]
I searched all over the web and I could not find any information regarding the usage of polypropylene versus glass for brewing. I can’t be the first.[...]

Jury is still out on that count
I've never read of anyone using a plastic e-flask, but perhaps it's not something someone would think important to mention...

Cheers!

 

[RPh_Guy]

With glass it's pretty streamlined heating the wort inside the flask, which ensures sanitation.
Plastic can't be directly heated as easily and I don't think that pouring boiling wort inside a flask would always achieve the same level of sanitation as direct heating.

Seems like a reasonable product though, especially if budget-conscious. Good luck!

 

[Positronic_Matrix]

I used this product in place of a glass flask over the past week to build a yeast bank. I was able to pour boiling liquid into it and heat it gently on a hot plate (24 °C) without damage.

It has several advantages over glass:

• It was a fraction of the price
• It has a screw top
• It is unbreakable
• Stir-plate magnets are quiet in it (no clanking)

It has two disadvantages:

• It is slightly opaque
• Surface heat must be below ~100 °C

In short, I love this container. It is significantly more useful than my heavy, slippery 2 L glass flask with the stoppers that never want to stay in. For yeast starters/ranching, this light, cheap vessel with a screw-top lid is absolutely perfect. I need to hunt down 1 L versions.