Can i make a yeast starter out of 32oz quart bottle?

My AHS kit came with liquid yeast -- White Labs California Ale V WLP051

The last 2 batches i pitched the liquid yeast (no starter) and it took over 60 hours to get active.

All the youtube videos I watch they are using flasks and I don't have one or the $ right now to buy one.

Is there a simple way to do this without fancy equipment? I want to do a starter tonight so I can brew tomorrow morning.

Can i use a 32 oz quart bottle or something?

Any youtube videos that you guys know of that don't use flasks -- maybe something I can buy at the local supermarket?

 

I use a 64 oz glass milk bottle and it works just fine

I have drilled rubber stopper that I use in it with and airlock

all the best

S_M

 

You can use any container. Just make sure it is clean and sanitized. You can also make one without a stir plate. Just give the starter a good shake/stir every time you walk by. Just remember when you do shake/stir it it will foam up and possibly over flow. That's the benefit of stir plates, they allow the constant exchange of gasses out of the flask therefore preventing blowouts, allowing oxygen flow, and creating more cells. You can, however, make a yeast starter without the fancy equipment just fine.

 

So I want an airlock? I thought just tinfoil works better over the top because you want a little oxygen in?

 

I am sure just foil would work, I use an airlock just because I use an airlock

there should be enough oxygen in your bottle as it is not full

with all that being said I am working with recycled yeast so it may be a bit different then what you are doing

I restart the yeast I am using with the wort I am pitching into

all the best

S_M

 

IMO foil is the best method when making a starter from a packet of yeast. Like said above any container should work as long as it's clean and sanitized. Just swirl it around everytime you walk by it

 

I used 2 qt plastic juice bottles for nearly 2 years. Just don't screw the lid tight.

I went to glass flasks as they are much easier to clean and don't scratch, but I never had any problems with the juice bottles.

I'd think 1 qt would be too small. That's usually the size of starter I make and you need more room for when you shake it up and it foams.

 

One quart size should be fine for the average gravity ale,ime. I rarely brew anything bigger than 1.065 OG anyway. So that size should work for now.

 

I've used empty growlers - cleaned and sanitized, obviously - for as long as I;ve been making starters and have never had an issues.

 

Flip top or screw cap? If it's the flip top I'm curious how you cap it.