Boiling a yeast starter in an erlenmeyer flask?

[snowveil]

So I've been using my 2L erlenmeyer and stirplate for some time, but today is the first day that I decided to build a trivet and boil the starter on the stovetop directly in the flask.

My question is...do you guys have any tips as to how to get the DME into the flask without making a mess? Today I measured it out and dumped it in by the spoonful which was alright but still slow and messy because as soon as the DME hit the steam it started solidifying.

Any pointers?

 

[remilard]

So I've been using my 2L erlenmeyer and stirplate for some time, but today is the first day that I decided to build a trivet and boil the starter on the stovetop directly in the flask.

My question is...do you guys have any tips as to how to get the DME into the flask without making a mess? Today I measured it out and dumped it in by the spoonful which was alright but still slow and messy because as soon as the DME hit the steam it started solidifying.

Any pointers?

Put it in a dry flask.

 

[ajf]

I dissolve the DME in water in a saucepan, and then transfer it to the flask when the DME is fully dissolved.

-a.

 

[Tread82]

i dissolve the dme in water in a saucepan, and then transfer it to the flask when the dme is fully dissolved.

-a.

+1

 

[redalert]

I put the dme on a piece of paper and funnel it into the flask that way.

 

[strat_thru_marshall]

Put flask on digital scale and zero out.
Add DME by weight.
Add cold water to desired fill level.
Shake like hell.
Put on burner and boil.

 

[remilard]

Put flask on digital scale and zero out.
Add DME by weight.
Add cold water to desired fill level.
Shake like hell.
Put on burner and boil.

That is about what I do. In the interest of completeness, remember to add the stir bar and foam control and nutrient.

I also boil with the foil on to make sure that is santized.

I also shake a few times while it is heating up until the DME is clearly dissolved.

Another tip is that I start with the burner on fairly high to get it to temp quick but you have to dial it down before it boils because even with foam control on my stove I don't want it hotter than 1 or 2 out of 10 when it is boiling.

 

[passedpawn]

Make sure you add the DME before the water. Get a small funnel and it will go in fine. DME is powdery and pours like flour. Just keep everything dry and it'll work fine.

 

[Chemiker]

This might be waaaay overkill, but I put about 80% of the water into the flask and get that boiling on my hotplate. In the meantime I mix the remaining approximately 20% of water and DME together in a mason jar, shaking to dissolve. When the water in the flask is boiling, I add the DME mixture and monitor for boil over. Preheating just water allows me do other things, because if it starts to boil while I'm away, it's just water so it won't boil over. Also, putting the dissolved DME into already boiling water means less time to get to boil once everything mixed.

Can you tell I hate boil overs?

 

[snowveil]

Put flask on digital scale and zero out.
Add DME by weight.
Add cold water to desired fill level.
Shake like hell.
Put on burner and boil.

we've got a winner!

I wasn't aware that DME would dissolve in water unless it was near boiling. I'll just top it off with some nice hot tap water. Thanks!

The way I see it, if I'm boiling in this flask, why dirty another pot by mixing the DME in it? Doesn't that kind of defeat the purpose of the flask boil?

 

[passedpawn]

Don't forget to throw your stir bar in there, too. I've always done this without issue.

 

[kanzimonson]

Also, if you do it the other way (add 2L of water and THEN 200g DME), you're not making a 1.040 wort. It will be more diluted than this.

 

[cravej]

I heat up the water in the flask, then measure the DME in a measuring cup. When the water is hot, I pour it into the measuring cup and back into the flask until it is sufficiently mixed up. Then put it back on the burner.

 

[SPLASTiK]

Also, if you do it the other way (add 2L of water and THEN 200g DME), you're not making a 1.040 wort. It will be more diluted than this.

Good enough though, that's probably around 1.035 and most sources I've seen say you want between 1.030-1.040.

Personally, I place the flask on the scale, measure the amount of water in grams in the flask, and the DME in grams in a SS bowl. Heat the flask on the stove until it's getting pretty warm, pour the water into the bowl and whisk, return it to the flask with stirbar and boil.

 

[eanmcnulty]

Also, I have it from a good source (me) that you should not add any yeast nutrient while it is boiling. The flask becomes a wort cannon, and you will be cleaning it off the ceiling, microwave, stovetop, floor...

 

[Mermaid]

I do pretty much what others suggested, except that I have a 4 cup Pyrex measuing cup that I heat water in the microwave (to warm, not boiling), add the DME, whisk until dissolved, then pour the mixture into my flask and heat ... gently. very gently.

Second on what eanmcnulty said (above) - no yeast nutrient in the wort. You'll be spending the next few hours cleaning your stove.

I've also made the (messy) mistake of trying to swoosh the liquid around while it's heating. Instant fail.

 

[remilard]

I've never had any problem with yeast nutrient or swirling while it's heating. I do both every time.

 

[passedpawn]

Also, I have it from a good source (me) that you should not add any yeast nutrient while it is boiling. The flask becomes a wort cannon, and you will be cleaning it off the ceiling, microwave, stovetop, floor...

Right, don't add during boil. Add before. I've had this same unpleasant issue.

 

[kappclark]

I dissolve the DME in water in a saucepan, and then transfer it to the flask when the DME is fully dissolved.

-a.

Same here .. boilovers are a non-event

 

[passedpawn]

Because it hasn't been mentioned yet (weird):

Ferment-S

Always add 2 drops of this to your flask. Always.

 

[remilard]

Foam control guys. One bottle is good for hundreds and hundreds of starters, that's hundreds and hundreds of fewer dishes washed.

I do add the nutrient at the beginning, everything is in and the foil on when it hits the stove. With a stir bar it is easy to probably 90% mix the DME with cold water.

 

[passedpawn]

Foam control guys. One bottle is good for hundreds and hundreds of starters, that's hundreds and hundreds of fewer dishes washed.

I do add the nutrient at the beginning, everything is in and the foil on when it hits the stove. With a stir bar it is easy to probably 90% mix the DME with cold water.

Ha, beat you by a nose.