1L starter or 2L starter? no stir plate

[Trails_n_Ales]

I will be brewing an NE IPA with OG 1.064 using WLP002. Mfg recommends a 1L starter up to 1.065. Since I'm so close to 1.065 and don't have a stir plate should I do a 2L starter and just shake it here and there? or will the 1L starter suffice? Thanks

 

[Lambo3]

Since you're not using a stir plate, do you have a 1/2g growler laying around?

 

[Trails_n_Ales]

Yes I do....what do you reccommend?

 

[Lambo3]

maybe i misunderstood, if you have a 2L, I would use that...

1L will get you by if that's what you got, even without a stir plate. You could also sanitize a 1/2g growler if you've got one around and use it. I don't know that shaking it every now and then will do much for you.

Edit: You of course can't boil it in the growler, so that is the downside of that. You must make it in a separate pot - again, no big deal.

How big of a batch?

Make a small wort, ferment it, pitch it. It'll work out.

...but if you do want to overthink it, there are calculators out there to help you calculate required pitch rate, and there are other calculators that will tell you how many generations you must go given starter vessel volume and starting yeast count to get to a specific yeast count. I think some even designate if there is a stir plate or not.

 

[nasty_rabbit]

If I'm reading you question correctly. You're going to make a starter no matter what, without a stir plate. You just don't know what size to produce. If that's the case then make the 2 liter starter and swirl/shake it every time you walk past it. It'll do fine.

 

[Trails_n_Ales]

Yes, I have a flask large enough for a 2L starter. I was reading that using a stir plate is recommended for getting the most out of using a starter. I was worried about not having a big enough yeast culture by using a 1L starter with no stir plate considering I was so high on OG on Mfg recommended pitch rate

 

[Lambo3]

This will help you, if you really want to nail it on the head:
http://www.brewersfriend.com/yeast-pitch-rate-and-starter-calculator/

That said, make the starter in whatever you got, bigger will be better if you don't have a stir plate. It'll be fine.

 

[Trails_n_Ales]

Perfect...2L starter it is! Thanks everyone.