I have a 1000ml erlenmeyer flask and want to start making starters but I am wondering if this is too small of a flask. I usually brew beer under 1.056. Should this be good or do I really need to get a bigger flask?
1000ml erlenmeyer...too small?
- Thread starter dkeller12
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Hopper5000
Well-Known Member
Use online calculators to determine how much you should pitch like mrmalty.com or yeastcalculator.com. If you make lower gravity beers then that might be ok but I would probably think about getting a 2000ml at some point. You'll probably also want to get some fermcap for your starters too so they don't overflow.
A 1 liter flask is going to be too small for a large amount of starters unless you do small batches or low gravity recipes.
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LandoLincoln
Well-Known Member
I started out with a 1,000ml flask. It now sits unused next to my 2,000ml flasks. I didn't use that 1,000ml flask for very many batches.
I'd advise you to spend the extra bucks on the 2,000ml flask.
5 gallon batches...... 1L is really too small. To be honest, I usually find my 2L flasks on the small side. I have a 4L that I usually use.
flars
Well-Known Member
This is what I use for starters on the stir plate. 1.1 gallon capacity. First one I bought was $6. The second one was $5.
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/photo/new-yeast-starter-container-61619.html
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/photo/new-yeast-starter-container-61619.html
I use 2L/4L flasks as well.
hunter_le five
Sheriff Underscore
This. I use a 2000ml flask, and it's just barely big enough for 5 gallon low-to-medium gravity beers (for me). I often get messy blow-off even using fermcap.
I wouldn't even consider using a 1000ml flask except for small (2.5 gal or less) batches. I think a 3L or 4L flask is in my near future.
I started with 2L and went to a 3L. I try to save about 1/3 of each starter for future beers. I've found that many times my 2L flask had yeast bombs and overflowed so I grabbed a 3 and haven't looked back.
Keep in mind that not all stir plates will spin a 3L starter well.
Keep in mind that not all stir plates will spin a 3L starter well.
Seven
Well-Known Member
I use 1L flasks all the time when stepping up small yeast starters or harvesting yeast from bottles... so all is not lost!
But it is a good idea to have a 2L flask for average size starters.
I may have just solved my problem thanks to Flars and his post. I was so hung up on needing an Erlenmeyer flask that I didn't think about the 2 glass one gallon jug fermenters that I have. Just filled one up with 2000ml of water and tested it on my stir plate and we are good to go. I can even go bigger if needed as I have enough head space for it.
jwalker1140
Well-Known Member
This is my story exactly. But now I wish I also had a 4,000ml flask for lagers.
Roadie
Well-Known Member
I started with a 2000 and moved to a 5000 so I can make any size starter I want. My starters are usually between 2000 - 3000 so I have extra room but didn't want to buy yet another flask.
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Silentdrinker
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+1 on 2L as a minimum for 5gal. It's better to be too big and not lose yeast. When I started 10 gal, I'd come into the kitchen with a mess with yeast all over the counter because the 2L was too small (meaning 1L per 5 gal).
Now it sits unused because I had to step up to a 5L.
Now it sits unused because I had to step up to a 5L.
LandoLincoln
Well-Known Member
I think two stir plates and two 2,000ml flasks would be the way to go instead of one stir plate and one 4,000ml flask. With two stir plates, you could make the same amount of starter but if you ever wanted to split a batch of wort up and use two different yeast strains on it to see what each would taste like then you have that capability. Stir plates are very easy to make and they're not very expensive if you make them yourself.
jwalker1140
Well-Known Member
That's an interesting idea. The cost to pick up another 2,000ml flask and to build another stir plate probably would be about the same as the cost of a single 4,000ml flask.
My gallon jug is working perfectly for my yeast starter. Glad I saved the cash and was able to make this work.
View attachment 1416928388475.jpg
View attachment 1416928388475.jpg
wardens355
Well-Known Member
That stir plate is awesome.
30Bones
Well-Known Member
I think my 2L has a defect in the center of the base. The bottom has a small indentation and if that goes into the inside that is my issue. It throws my stir bar constantly and is very aggravating. When it does run, it's noisy as all get out. I am going to try one of those gallon rubbermaid jugs posted above before I buy another flask.
I have a 2L and a 5L, the 2 mostly just collects dust
Can you use the 1 liter flask? Absolutely, but you'll likely need to prepare steps for many batches. I have a 2 liter that's great for most standard gravity ales. I eventually got a 5 liter for lagers and high gravity ales to eliminate the need to do multiple steps. Even with the 5 liter, I still had to do two steps for the doppelbock that I recently brewed.
I guess what I am saying is that you need to decide how much prep work you're willing to do for brew day. I'd personally rather spend less time making yeast starters, so I have larger vessels to accommodate that. Your mileage may vary.
I guess what I am saying is that you need to decide how much prep work you're willing to do for brew day. I'd personally rather spend less time making yeast starters, so I have larger vessels to accommodate that. Your mileage may vary.
Well, since the gallon jug is working out, I will use that for the standard 5 gallon batch. The 1000ml flask I will use for my small batches - 1 or 2 gallons.
